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JAN  24  19U 


EXILES  IN  VIRGINIA: 


ON  THE  CONDUCT  OF  THE  SOCIETY  OF  FRIENDS 


THE  REYOLUTIONARY  WAE, 


THE  OFFICIAL  PAPEES  OF  THE  GOVERNMENT 
RELATING  TO  THAT  PERIOD. 
1777_1778. 

Thornu 


PHILADELPHIA: 
PUBLISHED  FOR  THE  SUBSCRIBERS. 
1S48. 


WITH  OBSERVATIONS 


DURING 


COMPRISING 


Entered,  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1848, 

By  Thomas  Gilpin, 

In  the  Clerk's  Office  of  the  District  Court  for  the  Eastern  District  of 
Pennsylvania. 


0.  SHERMAN,  PRINTER, 
19  St.  James  Street. 


ADVERTISEMENT. 


The  Introduction  to  the  Journal  of  the  Exiles  gives  a  brief 
narrative  of  the  banishnnent  of  several  citizens  of  Philadelphia, 
who  were  sent  to  Virginia,  at  the  beginning  of  the  war  of  the 
American  Revolution,  and  of  the  events  connected  with  it,  until 
they  were  remanded  by  Congress  to  Pennsylvania  to  be  dis- 
charged. And  it  gives  a  general  account  of  the  Society  of 
Friends  in  the  Province,  previously  to  that  time. 

The  Journal  was  kept  by  those  of  the  company  who  were 
members  of  the  Society,  and  refers  to  the  peculiar  situation  in 
which  they  were  placed  in  consequence  of  the  general  Resolu- 
tions of  the  Congress  of  the  United  States,  respecting  the  war; 
out  of  which  Resolutions,  arose  the  Orders  of  the  Supreme 
Executive  Council  of  Pennsylvania,  which  directed  the  arrest 
of  the  Friends,  and  fixed  the  place  of  their  exile. 

To  the  Journal  are  added  observations  of  the  Society  of 
Friends,  upon  this  treatment  of  their  members,  and  a  defence 
against  the  charges  made,  respecting  their  political  conduct; 
these  exhibit  a  refutation  of  the  alleged  authorship  of  the  seve- 
ral publications  imputed  to  them,  which  had  been  sent  to  Con- 
gress, and  though  obviously  not  worthy  of  credit,  were  printed, 
and  circulated  by  its  order,  to  the  prejudice  of  the  Society. 

In  the  Appendix  will  be  found  copies  of  the  Minutes  of  the 
Congress,  and  of  the  Executive  Council,  arranged  in  a  con- 
tinuity of  dates;  and  which  correspond  with  the  Journal.  The 
Epistles  of  the  Friends  written  to  their  members,  advising  them 
to  keep  out  of  all  warlike  measures,  are  added,  in  order  to  com- 
prise all  the  charges  which  were  alleged  against  the  Society;  and 
there  is  added  to  the  Introduction,  an  account  of  the  visits  which 


I 


vi 


ADVERTISEMENT. 


a  committee  of  the  Yearly  Meeting  of  Friends,  made  in  Octo- 
ber, 1777,  to  General  Howe,  at  his  headquarters,  near  German- 
town,  and  to  General  Washington,  at  the  American  camp,  at 
Valley  Forge,  to  explain  the  principles  which  governed  the 
Society,  in  relation  to  the  contending  parties. 

At  this  lime,  so  far  removed  from  the  reminiscences  of  the 
Revolution,  many  of  the  events  here  stated  may  be  passing 
into  oblivion,  though  they  had  been  but  partially  understood — 
they  relate  to  the  last  connexion  of  the  Society  of  Friends  with 
the  government  of  Pennsylvania,  another  dynasty  having  come 
into  power  at  the  Revolution. 

Several  members  of  the  Society  had  held  prominent  posi- 
tions in  the  colonial  government,  the  management  of  it  being 
principaHy  entrusted  to  ihem  by  the  Proprietary  during  his 
absence  in  England.  His  stay  in  the  Province  at  his  two  visits 
occupied  less  than  five  years;  and  it  has  always  been  admitted 
that  the  judicious  and  liberal  conduct  of  the  Friends  gave  a 
peculiar  and  estimable  character  to  the  government,  in  regard 
to  its  colonial  and  municipal  regulations. 

In  relation  to  the  question  of  politics  as  an  international  con- 
cern, the  Friends  had  never  taken  an  active  part ;  for  this  was 
never  referred  to  them.  The  colony  had  originated  from 
England,  with  the  advantage  of  being  settled  from  a  country 
which  had  made  the  greatest  advancements  towards  religious 
and  republican  reformation ;  and  when  the  difierences  between 
America  and  England  took  place,  the  Friends,  in  common 
with  many  others,  believed  for  a  long  time  that  England  would 
have  been  wise  enough  to  redress  the  grievances  of  the 
colonists,  and  to  preserve  their  afiection  and  allegiance. 

There  may  be  some  peculiarity  in  the  style  of  the  Journal, 
and  in  the  occurrences  it  refers  to,  many  of  them  being  per- 
sonal;  but  it  was  written  in  the  friendly  and  familiar  style  to 
which  the  party  was  accustomed,  in  order  to  preserve  such 
daily  incidents  as  would  be  interesting  to  their  connexions  at 
home;  and  was  not  intended  for  publication. 


ADVERTISEMENT- 


vii 


These  took  place  during  a  painful  separation  of  the  Exiles 
from  their  families,  who  had  to  remain  in  Philadelphia,  then  in 
possession  of  the  British  forces,  and  closely  besieged  by  the 
Americans,  with  a  view  to  distress  it  till  it  surrendered.  At 
more  than  one  time  the  city  was  threatened  with  conflagration 
and  abandonment,  by  the  British ;  and  as  these  Friends  were 
conscious  of  very  severe  and  unworthy  treatment,  at  such  a 
time  of  anxiety  and  distress,  the  Journal  is  expressive  of  as 
little  feeling  as  might  have  been  expected. 

The  exiled  Friends,  with  their  cotemporaries,  have  been 
some  years  since  removed  by  death.  Yet  their  banishment 
continues  to  be  adverted  to  in  several  publications  tending  to 
palliate  its  oppressive  character,  even  at  the  expense  of  the 
character  of  the  sufferers.  It  is  therefore  thought  proper  to 
print  a  few  copies  of  the  Journal,  in  order  to  correct  this  im- 
pression, and  to  preserve  the  details  of  the  transaction,  with 
evidences  to  support  them,  for  the  information  of  persons  con- 
cerned in  the  events  of  that  interesting  time. 

Perhaps  the  most  memorable  reference  which  will  be  made 
in  future  years  to  the  Society  of  Friends,  will  be  the  part  they 
have  acted  in  relation  to  the  Colony  of  Pennsylvania,  which  is 
an  essential  part  of  their  history.  It  shows  the  views  they 
had  of  the  administration  of  a  government,  not  to  have  been 
speculative,  but  practical ;  and  while  it  has  not  been  intended 
to  make  the  notice  of  this  event  intrusive,  the  account  of  it  is 
due  to  future  history,  and  to  the  memory  of  a  worthy  and 
exemplary  ancestry. 

The  settlement  of  Pennsylvania,  under  William  Penn,  pre- 
sented a  character  of  sincerity,  tolerance,  and  mild  govern- 
ment, with  a  deference  to  the  religious  and  political  feelings  of 
others,  not  before  known  on  the  Continent ;  this,  with  his  ex- 
emplary life,  and  that  of  his  companions,  established  a  sim- 
plicity of  manners  which  has  left  an  impress  upon  general 
society,  tending  to  raise  it  on  a  basis  of  merit,  and  not  of 
rank. 

When  a  comparative  view  is  taken  of  the  practical  course 


viii  ADVERTISEMENT. 

established  here,  both  in  government  and  in  the  institutions  of 
the  country,  it  would  appear  just  to  infer  that  the  republican 
measures  which  are  now  requiring  the  governments  abroad  to 
take  into  just  consideration  their  duties  to  the  people,  have  de- 
rived much  of  their  force  from  the  example  of  the  last  two 
centuries  of  their  establishment  in  America. 

In  several  histories  of  the  American  Revolutionary  War,  the 
writers  have  been  led  from  ignorance  or  inattention,  to  con- 
clude that  the  Society  of  Friends  opposed  the  interests  of  the 
country  by  uniting  with  the  partisans  of  England. 

What  kind  of  partisans  could  be  made  of  a  people  who 
withdrew  altogether  from  the  civil  government  whenever  its 
measures  had  a  warlike  tendency? — Who  never  allied  them- 
selves to  any  political  party,  and  when  exercising  the  duties  of 
government,  never  extended  them  beyond  the  requisitions  of 
municipal  order ! — Who  restrained  their  members  within  the 
peaceable  spirit  of  Christianity,  as  a  condition  of  being  con- 
tinued members  of  their  church  ! — And  who  had  always  been 
willing  to  live  under  any  system  of  government  where  the 
rights  of  the  people  were  respected  ! 

This  question  has  yet  to  be  answered  by  some  future  writer, 
who  will  advert  to  the  facts,  and  give  a  history  of  the  Society 
of  Friends  during  the  Revolutionary  War,  and  of  the  principles 
which  governed  them  ;  for  that  Society  has  chosen  to  be  silent 
where  justice  due  to  themselves  might  be  the  means  of  casting 
censure  upon  others. 

But  the  banishment  of  their  members  has  carried  an  imputa- 
tion against  them  into  general  history ; — for  in  the  much-ap- 
plauded conduct  accompanying  the  Revolution,  it  has  been 
inferred,  that  such  an  act  would  not  have  been  committed  with- 
out cause. 

It  is  therefore  due  to  the  Friends,  and  to  the  position  they 
held  in  general  society,  to  present  a  correct  statement  of  the 
transaction,  supported  by  testimony  to  place  it  in  a  just  point 
of  view,  and  to  correct  the  erroneous  impressions  which  have 
so  long  existed  in  the  public  mind,  and  been  circulated  in  the 
annals  of  our  country. 


ADVERTISEMENT. 


ix 


The  reader  who  may  feel  interested  in  the  further  views  of 
Wilham  Penn,  may  be  informed  that  he  had  designed  to  pass 
the  remainder  of  his  days  in  Pennsylvania,  but  the  attention  to 
his  affairs  recalled  him  to  England,  where  he  ended  his  useful- 
ness and  his  life. 

One  of  the  last  acts  of  William  Penn  on  leaving  the  country 
for  England,  was  to  grant  a  charter  to  the  public  school  in 
Philadelphia,  in  order  to  secure  good  school  instruction  equally 
and  alike  to  all  the  children  of  the  community.  On  the  seal  of  this 
institution  he  placed  the  motto  :  "  good  instruction  is  better 
THAN  riches;"  vvilh  the  imprcssive  adage:  "  *iXct£  AXXv)Xouj ;" 
"love  ye  one  another."  The  motto  on  the  seal  he  had  derived 
from  his  ancestors,  and  which  he  continued  to  the  Province, 
was  "  MERCY  .  justice." 

In  his  family  memoirs  he  directed  that  his  children  should 
be  brought  up  in  the  practical  knowledge  of  trades ;  so  that 
they  should  not  only  respect  the  useful  occupations  of  persons 
who  were  dependent  upon  them,  but  have  them  to  resort  to,  in 
the  vicissitudes  of  life. 

William  Penn  left  the  Province  for  England  on  the  1st  day 
of  November,  1701,  and  his  departure  became  final, — for  the 
state  of  his  affairs  did  not  permit  him  to  return  to  it.  He  died  at 
his  house  at  Ruscomb,  Berkshire,  on  the  30th  of  the  5th  month, 
1718,  being  then  a  member  of  the  Monthly  Meeting  of  Friends 
at  Reading. 

He  had  been  distinguished  in  religious  and  civil  life  as  a 
Christian — a  philosopher — and  a  gentleman, — and  this  occasion 
seems  to  call  for  an  insertion  of  the  obituary  memorial  re- 
corded concerning  him  ;  taken  from  minutes  of  the  Monthly 
Meeting  of  Friends  at  Reading, — which,  if  it  were  ever  pub- 
lished, is  not  now  to  be  obtained. 

Thomas  Gilpin. 

Philadelphia,  September  10th,  1848. 


X 


ADVERTISEMENT. 


A  TESTIMONY  CONCERNING  WILLIAM  PENN. 

From  the  Monthly  Meeting  for  Berkshire,  England,  held  at  Reading, 
31st  of  the  1st  month,  1719. 

OoR  Friend  William  Penn  departed  this  life  at  his  home  at 
Ruscomb,  in  the  County  of  Berks,  on  the  30th  of  the  fifth 
month,  1718,  and  his  body  was  conveyed  thence  the  7th  of  the 
sixth  month  following,  to  the  Friends  Burying  Ground  at  Jor- 
den's,  in  Buckinghamshire,  where  he  was  honourably  interred, 
being  accompanied  by  many  Friends,  and  others  from  distant 
parts. 

Being  a  member  of  our  Monthly  Meeting  at  the  time  of  his 
decease,  and  for  some  years  before,  we  can  do  no  less,  in  giving 
the  foregoins  account,  than  sav  somethincr  of  the  character  of  so 
worthy  a  man ;  and  not  only  refer  to  other  meetings  where  his 
residence  was  in  former  times,  who  are  witnesses  of  the  great 
self-denial  he  underwent  in  the  prime  of  his  youth,  and  the 
patience  with  which  he  bore  many  a  heavy  cross ;  but  think  it 
our  duty  to  cast  in  our  mite  to  set  forth  in  part  his  deserved 
commendation. 

He  was  a  man  of  great  abilities,  of  an  excellent  sweetness  of 
disposition ;  quick  of  thought  and  of  ready  utterance ;  full  of 
the  qualifications  of  true  discipleship,  even  love  without  dissi- 
mulation ;  as  extensive  in  charity  as  comprehensive  in  know- 
ledge, and  to  whom  malice  and  ingratitude  were  utter  stran- 
gers— ready  to  forgive  enemies,  and  the  ungrateful  were  not 
excepted. 

Had  not  the  management  of  his  temporal  affairs  been  attended 
with  some  deficiencies,  envy  itself  w  ould  be  to  seek  for  matter  of 
accusation,  and  judging  in  charity,  even  that  part  of  his  conduct 
may  be  attributed  to  a  peculiar  sublimity  of  mind. 

Notwithstanding  uhich,  he  may  without  straining  his  cha- 
racter, be  ranked  among  the  learned — good — and  great ;  whose 


ADVERTISEMENT. 


xi 


abilities  are  sufficiently  manifested  throughout  his  elaborate 
writings,  which  are  so  many  lasting  monuments  of  his  admired 
qualifications,  and  are  the  esteem  of  learned  and  judicious  men 
among  all  persuasions. 

And  although  in  old  age,  by  reason  of  some  shocks  of  a  vio- 
lent disease,  his  intellect  was  much  impaired,  yet  his  sweet- 
ness and  loving  disposition  surmounted  its  utmost  efforts,  and 
remained  when  reason  almost  failed. 

In  fine,  he  was  learned  without  vanity — apt  without  forward- 
ness— facetious  in  conversation,  yet  weighty  and  serious — of 
an  extraordinary  greatness  of  mind,  yet  void  of  the  stain  of 
ambition — as  free  from  rigid  gravity  as  he  was  clear  of  un- 
seemly levity — a  man — a  scholar — a  friend — a  minister,  sur- 
passing in  speculative  endowments,  whose  memorial  will  be 
valued  by  the  wise,  and  blessed  with  the  just. 

Signed,  on  behalf  and  on  appointment  of  said  meeting. 

W  ILLIAM  LaMBOLE, 

Clerk. 


Taken  from  the  Reading  Records,  3d  month  7,  1813. 


CONTENTS. 


V 

William  Penn — Obituary  Memorial, 

30,  5  mo.  1718, 

X 

17 

^Joi^o+iTTO  vocT^o/'f  in  fir  tno  li  YlloQ 

35 

Xveneciions  on  ixic  vyoiiuuci  oi  riit;iiLi&,  . 

46 

T  isii  01  xne  \^om.  oi  i  ed-riy  ivieciuig  lu  vjtjiitj- 

ral  Mowp  and  rrpnpral  Wa^hinp^on 

7th  October,  1777, 

57 

^isnorpl  Snllivnn'«  T  oHAr  in  r^r»norTP«;Q  witn  trip 

VrClidcu  OUliiVdii  o  ±jCLlKjl         \^KJll^lK^OO  Willi  lllc 

OUUriOUs  opdllKlUWil  XVlcIllUriaX,  . 

25th  Aug.  1777, 

61 

vrencral  VV  aSXlinglon  a  l^cllcro  ^lau  siUlilc,  j 

3d  and  6th  AprU,  1777 

DO 

Arrest  of  Friends  at  Philadelphia, 

3d  Sept.  1777, 

65 

Order  of  Council  of  Pennsylvania, 

31st  Aug. 

71 

,  88 

Remonstrance  to  Council,  of  J.  Pemberton, 

4th  Sept. 

74 

,92 

"         to  Council,  of  the  Friends, 

tl  u 

77 

,  95 

"         to  Congress,  "  " 

5th  " 

82, 

103 

Friends  required  to  take  the  Test, 

85, 

106 

Address  to  the  Inhabitants  of  Permsylvania, 

(I  u 

86 

Remonstrance  to  Council, 

8th  " 

107 

Resolve  of  Council  to  banish  the  Friends, 

9th  " 

111, 

123 

Protest  against  Banishment, 

u  u 

113, 

125 

XIV 


CONTENTS. 


Remonstrance  to  Council  by  one  hundred  and 

two  Citizens  of  Philadelphia,     .       .     5th  9  mo. 
Friends  removed  from  Philadelphia,        .     11th  Sept. 

Journey  TO  Virginia,  11th  Sept.  1777, 

Habeas  Corpus  Writs  taken  out  and  served,    14th  "  " 

Act  passed  to  Suspend  Habeas  Corpus  Trials,  16th  "  " 
M.  Fisher's  Letter  to  Thomas  M'Kean,  Chief 

Justice,  18th  "  " 

Council  of  Peimsylvania,  orders  to  Officers  to 

take  Exiles  to  Winchester,        .       .     10th  "  " 

Protest  of  Friends  going  out  of  Pennsylvania,  27th    "  " 

Residence  at  Winchester,  ....     30th    "  " 
Confined  at  P.  Bush's  tavern,  under  guard,      "      "  " 


Ordered  by  Congress  to  remain  at  Winchester,  17th  " 

Lieut.  John  Smith,  letter  to  Congress,       .     1st  Oct. 

Address  of  Exiles  to  Congress,        .       .       "  " 

Address  of  Exiles  to  Governor  and  Council 

of  Virginia,  tt  n 

Board  of  War  approve  conduct  of  Lieut.  Smith,  16th  Oct. 

Board  of  War  allow  the  Exiles  to  have  things 

they  require,  at  their  own  expense,  .        "  " 

Governor  and  Council  of  Virginia,  Letter  to 
Joseph  Holmes,  allowing  Prisoners  per- 
mission of  the  tovra,         .       .       .      15th  " 

P.  Bush  requires  payment  in  silver  money  at 
the  same  rate  as  continental  money. 

Board  of  War  order  removal  to  Staunton,       10th  Dec. 

Memorial  of  Exiles  to  Congress  and  Council,  19th  " 

Alexander  White  sent  by  Exiles  to  Congress,  20th  " 


CONTENTS.  XV 

End  of  Journal  kept  by  the  Exiles,        .       31st  Dec.  1777.  197 

James  Pemberton's  Journal  of  the  Exiles,  1st  Jan.  1778.  197 
Col.  Kennedy  directed  by  Gov.  of  Virginia  to 

take  the  Exiles  to  Staunton,     .       .       11th"     "  199 

Lieut.  J.  Holmes'  Letter  to  M.  Fisher,  .  17th  "  "  201 
Gen.  H.  Gates'  Letter  to  suspend  removal  of 

Prisoners  to  Staunton,      .       .       .       21st  "     "  204 

Thomas  Gilpin — Illness  and  Decease,    .       2d  March,   "  210 

John  Hunt — Illness  and  Decease,  .  .  31st  "  "  215 
Congress'  order  to  Council  of  Pennsylvania 

to  release  the  Exiles,  .  .  .  16th  "  "  216 
Council  sent  F.  Baily  and  Capt.  Lang  as  an 

escort  to  the  Exiles  to  Pennsylvania,  3d  April,  "  218 
Four  Female  Relatives  of  the  Exiles  wait  on 

General  Washington,  ...  5th  "  "  222 
Gen.  Washington's  Letters  to  Gov.  Wharton,  5th  and  6th  Apr.  1778,  223 

Act  to  prevent  intercourse  with  Philadelphia,  225 

Return  Journey  to  Philadelphia. 

Leave  Winchester,          ....       19th  April,  1778,  226 

Visit  to  Gen.  Gates  at  Yorktown,    .       .       24th    "        "  227 

Denied  a  hearing  by  Council  at  Lancaster,    26th    "        "  229 

Address  to  Council  to  be  restored  to  their  rights,  "      "        "  230 

Order  to  Discharge  the  Exiles,  .  .  27th  "  "  231 
General  Washington's  permission  to  return  to 

their  homes  in  Philadelphia,    .       .       29th    "        "  233 

Conclusion — Observations,   234 

Address  of  Society  of  Friends  to  Gen.  Wash- 
ington on  the  year  of  the  organization 

of  the  Government,  .       .       .       .       3d  of  10  mo.  1789,  237 


XVI  CONTENTS. 

Answer  of  General  Washington,     .       .       3d  Oct.  1789,  238 

Considerations  on  Charges  of  Congress,  "    "     "  239 

Appendix — Journals  of  Congress  and  of  the 
Supreme  Executive  Council  of  Pennsyl- 
vania,     .       .       25th  Aug.  1777  to  27th  April,  1778,  259—282 


Papers  published  by  order  of  Congress, 

a     u  <c 

282 

Testimony  of  Society  of  Friends, 

24th  1  mo.  1775, 

282 

Epistle  of  Meeting  of  Sufferings,  . 

5th     "  1775, 

284 

Ancient  Testimony  of  Friends, 

20th    "  1776, 

287 

Address  of  Meeting  of  Sufferings, 

"  12  mo.  " 

293 

Minutes  of  Quarterly  and  Monthly  Meetings, 

1776  and  1777,  293- 

-299 

Spanktown  Yearly  Meeting,  (spurious,) 

290 

Comparative  Addresses  of  Congress  and  of 

the  Society  of  Friends, 

1775, 

300 

Extract  from  Gibbon's  Decline  and  Fall  of 

301 

INTRODUCTION. 

Many  of  the  important  events  of  American  history  have  been 
carefully  handed  down  to  us  by  notes  or  tradition  ;  and  when 
these  have  a  public  or  private  estimation,  it  is  a  tribute  due  to 
posterity  to  render  the  narrative  permanent  before  a  further 
lapse  of  time  may  subject  it  to  uncertainty. 

The  intention  of  this  volume  is  to  preserve  an  account  of 
some  interesting  incidents  which  occurred  in  Pennsylvania  in 
the  war  of  the  American  Revolution,  for  the  use  of  the  de- 
scendants of  those  persons  who  were  unexpectedly  involved  in 
them.  They  arose  out  of  that  great  event,  and  will  show  that 
the  principles  of  justice  and  liberty  then  advocated  for  the  na- 
tion, should  have  been  more  consistently  dispensed  to  the  rights 
which  were  due  to  individuals. 


The  Settlement  of  the  Province  of  Pennsylvania,  by  William 
Penn,  formed  a  new  era  in  the  liberties  of  mankind. 

It  opened  an  asylum  in  which  to  originate  a  new  govern- 
ment upon  the  principles  of  "  Mercy  and  Justice,"  contem- 
plated from  previous  ages  to  form  the  basis  of  the  social  and 
natural  relations. 

It  afforded  a  resting-place,  where  the  conscientious  and  op- 
pressed people  of  Europe  might  repose,  and  enjoy  the  right? 
of  civil  and  religious  freedom  which  mankind  had  derived  as 
an  inheritance  from  the  Creator. 

The  benevolent  founder  of  the  Colony  declared  these  to  be 
his  first  objects  in  making  the  settlement,  and  he  secured  them 
to  the  people  as  their  chartered  privileges. 

2 


18 


INTRODUCTION. 


In  one  of  his  letters  to  a  friend  in  England,  immediately 
after  having  obtained  his  Charter  of  the  Province  in  1681,  he 
wrote  :  "  I  have  obtained  the  Province  and  desire  to  keep  it, 
which  may  answer  the  kind  providence  of  God  to  serve  his 
truth  and  people,  that  an  example  may  be  set  to  the  nations : 
there  may  be  room  there,  though  not  here,  for  such  a  holy 
experiment."* 

The  first  settlement  of  the  Colony  was  personally  attended 
to  by  William  Penn,  in  1682,  and  he  established  it  in  peace. 
It  was  hoped  that  under  the  blessing  of  Providence,  the  set- 
tlers there  could  carry  out  the  principles  of  the  Christian  re- 
ligion— they  believed  these  principles  to  be  of  the  highest  benefit 
to  mankind,  and  that  they  were  capable  of  sustaining  them  in 
a  practical  course  of  conduct  to  each  other  in  public  and  in 
private  life. 

The  soil  of  Pennsylvania  was  thus  granted  to  William  Penn, 
and  the  Colonial  Government  entrusted  to  him,  under  his  well- 
known  principles  as  a  member  of  the  Society  of  Friends ;  and 
as  this  Society  has  had  an  interesting  connexion  and  influence 
in  the  country  from  its  early  history,  it  is  proper  to  trace  out 
its  origin  and  character. 

"  The  Religious  Society  of  Friends,"  which  title  it  is  proper 
to  give  it  in  consideration  of  their  peaceable  and  friendly  con- 
duct, in  lieu  of  the  sobriquet  of  "  Quakers"  arose  in  England 
about  the  year  1645;  and  on  their  principles  becoming  known, 
they  were  joined  by  a  large  number  of  people  from  various 
sects,  who  were  dissatisfied  with  many  of  the  religious  profes- 
sions of  the  time,  and  were  prepared  to  withdraw  from  them  ; 
for  they  did  not  appear  to  support  by  example  or  precept  the 
doctrines  of  Christ  or  the  Apostles,  as  set  forth  in  the  New 
Testament. 

The  enlarged  and  independent  views  taken  by  the  Friends, 
led  them  to  contemplate  the  nature  of  the  Christian  religion, 
and  with  it  the  simplicity  and  virtue  of  the  primitive  churches ; 

•  Proud's  History  of  Pennsylvania,  vol.  i.  169,  notes. 


INTRODUCTION. 


19 


to  compare  this  with  the  ecclesiastical  authority  assumed  by 
subsequent  churches  over  the  civil  and  religious  rights  of  the 
people,  and  to  examine  into  a  system  which  had  such  an  im- 
mediate relation  to  themselves,  and  to  general  society. 

At  an  early  period  the  advice  and  care  of  the  Apostles  were 
extended  to  direct  the  churches  to  the  purity  in  which  they 
were  established,  and  to  avoid  the  general  errors  of  the  times ; 
but  deviations  took  place  afterwards,  arising  from  an  external 
intercourse,  and  from  various  causes. 

The  Christians  having  had  no  place  as  a  distinct  people,  ex- 
isted as  a  religious  sect  dispersed  among  the  nations.  It  is  only 
recorded  "the  Disciples  were  called  Christians  first  in  An- 
tioch."*  For  the  first  two  or  three  centuries,  no  other  histori- 
cal accounts  can  be  obtained  of  them,  than  from  the  lives  of 
those  Fathers  who  succeeded  the  immediate  Apostles,  and 
these  show  a  uniform  spirit  of  meekness  and  fidelity  consistent 
with  their  original  principles. 

During  the  first  and  second  centuries,  the  Christians  would 
not  render  to  the  state  any  military  service,  though  many  at- 
tempts were  made  to  engage  them  in  it ;  they  were  uniform  in 
the  refusal  by  the  declaration,  "  /  am  a  Christian,  and  cannot 
fight"  which  produced  a  further  separation  from  the  people, 
and  it  was  a  further  cause  of  the  frequent  martyrdoms  they 
suffered. 

Although  they  remained  a  distinct  sect,  and  were  sought  out 
and  persecuted  even  as  objects  for  sacrifice,  the  Christians 
became  numerous,  so  that  after  the  third  century,  Constantine 
and  the  succeeding  emperors  granted  them  protection,  in  order 
to  secure  their  assistance  and  support 

Becoming  more  and  more  allied  to  the  Roman  interest,  and 
mixed  with  the  people,  they  had  so  deviated  from  their  original 
principles  as  to  be  extensively  employed  as  soldiers.  By  their 
movement  with  the  armies,  their  religion  was  greatly  extended 
through  the  empire  and  provinces,  in  which  they  contributed 
mainly  to  support  the  declining  state ;  whence  a  union  took 

*  Acts  ii.  26. 


20 


INTRODUCTION- 


place  between  civil  and  religious  power,  partly  military  and 
partly  hierarchal,  yet  with  such  an  introduction  of  heathen 
customs  and  warlike  requisitions,  as  very  much  to  destroy  the 
Christian  character. 

Yet  under  this  external  relation  of  the  church,  a  clergy  was 
established  which  governed  it  in  matters  of  opinion  and  faith ; 
and  when  there  were  any  disputed  points  of  orthodoxy,  the 
bishops,  with  the  other  clergy,  called  councils  to  settle  them, 
under  a  united  authority  of  the  churches. 

Six  of  these,  called  General  Councils,  were  held  from  the  years 
325  to  680,  besides  numerous  others  of  lesser  importance.  But 
in  few  or  none  of  these  assemblages  were  any  satisfactory  con- 
clusions to  be  arrived  at.  Under  the  profession  of  religion,  a 
contention  for  points  of  doctrine  resulted  in  contentions  for 
supremacy ;  and  the  decisions  of  the  conventions  being  only 
suited  to  the  parties  in  power,  increased  the  schisms  of  the 
churches. 

The  bishops  of  Rome  having  been  seated  at  the  most  cele- 
brated place  in  the  empire,  began  early  to  claim  the  exclusive 
title  of  Pope,  and  about  the  year  655,  it  was  acceded  to  by  the 
other  bishops,  though  it  had  been  previously  the  title  of  them 
all;  from  thence  it  remained  in  the  see  of  Rome,  undisputed 
in  Christendom  for  the  nine  succeeding  centuries. 

During  this  long  period  the  ecclesiastical  annals  give  an 
account  of  the  most  arbitrary  extension  of  the  Roman  papal 
power  over  all  the  Christian  churches  and  kingdoms,  and  over 
the  liberties  and  consciences  of  the  people,  until  it  was  broken 
into  in  the  sixteenth  century,  and  partly  divided  among  other 
sects  at  the  Protestant  reformation. 

But  this  division  eventually  proved  to  be  rather  a  change  of 
condition  than  a  reform  in  the  churches,  for  those  which  suc- 
ceeded had  no  precedents  or  ideas  beyond  an  alteration  or  a 
modification  of  the  general  system  of  hierarchy,  and  a  dispen- 
sation from  some  of  the  more  formal  and  imposing  ceremonies. 
They  set  up  a  new  establishment  of  clergy,  with  expensive 
endowments,  under  an  appropriation  of  the  benefices  derived 
from  papal  revenues,  and  even  perverted  to  its  service  many 


INTRODUCTION. 


21 


of  the  previous  endowments  of  the  Catholic  charitable  institu- 
tions. No  latitude  of  opinion  or  faith  was  allowed  beyond  the 
articles  of  the  newly  prescribed  creed.  An  imputation  of 
heresy  rested  upon  those  who  might  conscientiously  think  for 
themselves ;  and  as  the  churches  formed  again  alliances  with 
the  governments,  no  relief  could  be  obtained  for  the  people 
from  the  further  exactions  and  arbitrary  control  of  the  clergy. 

This  re-established  connexion  of  church  and  state  was  un- 
satisfactory to  the  judgment  and  feeling  of  a  sensible  laity,  and 
there  were  many  independent  persons,  who  not  choosing  to 
submit  to  such  intellectual  and  moral  servitude,  turned  their 
minds  to  the  simple  doctrines  and  injunctions  of  the  Christian 
religion,  which  they  believed  to  be  addressed  to  the  attention 
of  every  one;  they  were  not  satisfied  with  the  prescribed  forms 
adopted  by  the  established  churches,  nor  with  any  vicarious 
substitutes  for  the  obligations  of  Christian  duty;  but  they 
turned  at  once  to  the  Christian  example  and  precepts,  to  con- 
form to  whatever  they  deemed  them  to  require,  and  to  reject 
whatever  they  prohibited, — and  thus  unswayed  by  fear  or 
favour,  to  be  accountable  only  to  the  responsibilities  they  en- 
joined. 

Among  these,  the  most  steady  and  patient,  but  efficient 
denial  of  the  claims  of  the  clergy  was  made  by  the  Friends, — 
who  appeared  at  a  later  period  than  most  of  the  others,  to  be 
dissentients  from  the  established  church  ;  and  who  on  their  rise 
into  a  society,  would  not  admit  that  the  clergy  had  any  right 
whatever,  according  to  Christian  discipline,  to  the  positions 
they  had  assumed,  and  to  the  control  which  had  been  in- 
cautiously granted  them.  In  addition  to  this,  the  clergy  had 
become  imperious  and  unfeeling,  supporting  their  power  by 
ecclesiastical  laws  and  authority,  living  very  expensively  upon 
tithes  and  requisitions,  exacted  from  the  people  under  very 
severe  oppression. 

This  independent  conduct  became  alarming  to  the  Protestant 
hierarchies  of  England,  and  caused  the  Friends  there  to  suffer 
severe  contumely  and  persecution  under  the  clerical  power. 


22 


INTRODUCTION. 


and  under  the  influence  it  had  created  with  the  government. 
Their  members,  for  want  of  conformity,  had  to  suffer  long  im- 
prisonments, loss  of  their  property,  distress  of  their  families, 
and  loss  of  life,  which  was  continued  until  their  persecutors 
were  checked  by  public  sympathy,  for  the  infliction  of  con- 
tinued injustice  upon  an  innocent  and  conscientious  people. 

In  return  for  this  course  of  oppression,  the  Friends  formed 
no  parties — they  resisted  no  one — they  returned  no  injury  upon 
any  one ;  and  while  they  considered  their  own  mode  of  life 
would  be  injurious  to  no  government,  and  oflensive  to  no  society 
instituted  for  the  peaceable  enjoyment  of  religion  or  the  protec- 
tion of  the  community,  they  persevered  in  living  and  conduct- 
ing themselves  according  to  their  own  mode  of  worship,  and 
their  own  convictions  of  duty. 

During  this  time,  this  people  was  not  chargeable  with  being 
useless  or  inadequate  members  of  society  :  in  their  various  oc- 
cupations they  were  industrious,  were  true  to  their  promises 
and  engagements,  and  contributed  like  others  to  the  support  of 
government.  , 

In  social  kindness  and  sympathy,  and  in  the  requisitions  of 
private  and  public  duty  they  were  distinguished,  and  they  were 
prominent  in  institutions  of  high  character  for  intelligence,  use- 
fulness, and  benevolence. 

At  the  same  time  that  they  kept  out  of  all  political  parties  or 
religious  conventions,  they  made  every  respectful  appeal  to  the 
government  to  be  relieved  from  the  unjust  sufl^erings  they  had 
to  endure.  Further  than  this  they  could  not  go.  For  they 
never  joined  in  measures  for  supplanting  or  overturning  the 
constituted  authorities,  because  this  could  not  be  done  without 
violating  their  peaceable  principles — "  to  live  in  peace  with  all 
men." 

They  respected  the  powers  of  the  government  and  a  system 
of  just  laws  as  the  guide  of  human  action,  and  for  the  order 
and  support  of  the  structure  of  society. 

Confiding  in  the  benevolence  of  the  Christian  religion  as 
capable  of  influencing  the  human  heart,  they  believed  it  to  be 


INTRODUCTION. 


23 


sufficient  to  remedy  the  evils  and  to  correct  the  errors  of  the 
age ;  they  beheved,  also,  that  if  this  had  been  the  faithful  ob- 
ject of  the  church,  it  would,  long  before  their  day,  have  brought 
the  people  under  better  discipline  than  could  be  attained  by  the 
civil  government,  with  its  code  of  voluminous  and  intricate 
laws. 

As  a  contrast  to  the  pompous  establishments  of  the  church 
and  the  state,  with  hierarchies,  armies,  and  clerical  parade,  and 
after  centuries  of  ecclesiastical  controversies,  how  extraordi- 
nary was  the  rise  and  existence  of  a  people  disclaiming  any 
connexion  with  the  wars  of  the  state  or  with  the  dissensions  of 
the  churches,  and  determining  to  govern  themselves  by  a  line  of 
truthful  conduct — to  be  guided  by  good-will  to  all  mankind 
according  to  the  plain  dictates  of  truth  and  the  philosophy  of 
the  Christian  religion. 

It  vi'as  said  of  this  Society  by  Oliver  Cromwell,  "  Now  I  see 
there  has  arisen  a  people  which  I  cannot  win  with  gifts, 
honours,  offices,  or  places,  but  all  other  sects  and  people  I 
can."*  And  Admiral  Penn  said,  among  his  last  words  to  his 
son  William  Penn,  soon  after  to  become  proprietary  of  Penn- 
sylvania, whom  in  his  early  life  he  had  banished  from  his  house 
for  having  joined  the  Society  of  Friends,  "  Son  William, 
if  you  and  your  Friends  keep  to  your  plain  way  of  living,  and 
to  your  plain  way  of  preaching,  you  will  make  an  end  of  the 
priests,  to  the  end  of  the  world."f 

Believing  they  had  Christian  authority  for  their  existence  as 
a  religious  society,  the  Friends  established  their  church  system 
independently  of  all  civil  assistance,  with  but  few  rules :  these 
were  of  a  practical  character  in  conformity  with  the  prescrip- 
tions of  the  New  Testament. 

They  had  no  specific  articles  for  their  religion,  written  out 
to  be  adopted  as  required  by  other  churches ;  but  an  account 
of  their  belief  was  set  forth  by  many  experienced  writers,  and 
approved  of  by  the  Society. 

*  Marsh's  popular  Life  of  George  Fox,  p.  12. 
+  Sparka's  Life  of  William  Penn,  1845,  p.  253. 


24 


INTRODUCTION. 


They  relied  upon  the  guidance  of  an  inward  principle  of 
divine  truth  in  the  mind. 

They  abrogated  among  themselves  all  regard  to  the  esta- 
blished clerical  power,  which  they  believed  to  be  the  assump- 
tion of  a  latter  age,  and  that  there  was  no  authority  for  it  in  the 
permission  of  Christ,  or  in  the  practice  of  the  Apostles;  and 
they  would  render  no  military  service,  because  they  believed 
every  act  of  warfare  to  be  an  abrogation  of  the  principles  of 
Christianity. 

They  disconnected  themselves  with  the  civil  power,  and 
advised  their  members  to  decline  appointments  to  civil  offices, 
because  in  the  required  duties  they  might  not  be  able  to  give 
satisfaction  consistently  with  their  principles. 

Their  members  were  recommended  to  practise  economy, 
and  to  encourage  simplicity  in  their  domestic  relations,  in  order 
to  avoid  inducements  to  luxury  and  show. 

They  took  care  of  their  indigent  members,  to  place  them  in 
a  way  to  obtain  a  maintenance ;  but  when  their  poor  became 
aged  or  disabled,  and  could  not  support  themselves,  they  were 
privately  assisted  out  of  the  funds  of  the  Society.  In  addition 
to  this,  in  common  with  other  citizens,  their  members  supported 
the  public  poor. 

They  mostly  settled  disputes  arising  between  their  members 
by  an  arbitrament  of  persons  specially  appointed  among  them- 
selves, without  an  appeal  to  law,  unless  when  it  became  expe- 
dient to  obtain  legal  decisions,  and  their  members  were  required 
by  the  Society  to  do  justice  to  others. 

The  institution  of  marriage  was  performed  by  a  public  de- 
claration of  the  parties  during  the  sitting  of  their  friends  at  a 
religious  meeting.  They  were  not  allowed  the  interference  of 
any  clerical  authority.  The  witnesses  were  their  common  friends, 
and  a  certificate  of  the  marriage,  signed  by  themselves  and  the 
witnesses,  was  placed  on  the  records  of  the  Society. 

The  Friends  did  not  conform  to  outward  ceremonies  in  the 
Christian  religion,  because  in  the  devotion  of  mind  and  conduct 
which  it  enjoined,  these  appeared  to  them  to  be  the  lesser  types 


INTRODUCTION. 


25 


or  services;  and  they  found  that  when  they  had  been  made 
commemorative  and  periodical,  and  performed  by  any  church 
officer,  it  led  to  an  external  and  vicarious  dependence,  from 
which  followed  superstitious  ceremonies,  differing  widely  from 
the  character  of  the  original  institution. 

In  their  private  meetings,  which  were  for  discipline,  nothing 
was  introduced  but  the  business  of  the  church;  and  except  that 
this  had  occasionally  some  relation  to  personal  concerns,  the 
meetings  might  have  been  open  to  every  one.  The  business  re- 
lated to  the  general  condition  or  economy  of  the  church,  ad- 
vice to  its  members,  its  finances  and  charities,  and  often  to 
such  sympathies  as  the  Friends  might  be  interested  in,  for  the 
benefit  of  others. 

No  person  presided  at  those  meetings,  for  general  respect 
preserved  order ;  any  person  was  allowed  to  speak  on  the  sub- 
jects under  consideration  when  offered  to  the  meeting  by  any 
of  the  members  or  produced  by  the  clerk ;  and  when  the  meet- 
ing, after  a  general  expression  of  sentiment,  came  to  a  conclu- 
sion, the  clerk  recorded  it. 

No  question  was  ever  taken  or  decided  by  a  vote,  to  ascer- 
tain a  majority;  for  the  dignity  of  the  meeting  did  not  permit  it. 
Arguments  on  subjects  under  consideration  were  openly  offered 
and  reference  made  to  the  general  principles  of  the  Society  to 
sustain  them;  but  as  the  truth  would  lead  to  but  one  conclusion, 
it  was  the  purpose  of  the  meeting  calmly  to  discover  it,  and  a 
minority  having  a  clear  view  of  a  subject,  often  led  to  the 
good  and  final  judgment  of  the  meeting ;  at  those  times  when 
the  meeting  could  not  arrive  at  a  satisfactory  conclusion,  the 
subject  was  postponed  for  further  reflection  and  unanimity. 

The  Society  acknowledged  a  ministry  among  themselves,  to 
arise  from  impressions  of  religious  duty  on  the  part  of  ex- 
emplary and  pious  persons,  who  might  preach  in  their  public 
meetings  for  worship ;  but  these  were  to  have  no  pay  nor  dis- 
tinction beyond  their  other  members. 

Their  houses  for  public  worship  were  neat,  and  convenient, 
built  without  ornament,  but  made  comfortable,  and  were  open 


26 


INTRODUCTION. 


to  all  persons  who  were  inclined  to  attend  them.  The  religions 
worship  in  their  meetings  was  without  any  forms  or  ceremonies. 
It  consisted  in  an  effort  of  the  mind  to  advert  to  their  religious 
duties,  under  a  belief  that  these  would  be  made  known  by  the 
Spirit  of  Truth  to  all  persons,  even  when  they  might  not  be 
directed  to  them  by  a  teacher  or  minister. 

Under  the  solemnity  of  a  silent  and  sedate  assembly,  order 
was  always  preserved ;  and  as  the  Christian  principles  were 
obviously  true,  and  necessary  to  be  put  in  practice  in  the 
common  walks  of  life,  it  was  believed  their  relative  injunctions 
would  be  the  principal  objects  for  religious  contemplation. 

The  houses  to  meet  in  were  not  regarded  as  places  of 
sanctity  ;  for  the  Friends  believed  that  it  was  the  members  of  a 
Christian  society  who  constituted  a  church,  and  that,  as  on  the 
occasion  of  the  "  Sermon  on  the  Mount,"  they  might  be  as  pro- 
perly assembled  there,  as  in  the  Temple. 

The  Friends  could  not  give  evidence  on  any  occasion  on 
the  pledge  of  an  Oath,  not  only  because  they  believed  it  to  be 
forbidden  by  the  precepts  of  the  New  Testament,  but  because 
they  claimed  it  to  be  the  right  of  every  freeman  of  unimpaired 
veracity,  to  have  credence  when  he  stated  a  fact  to  be  true. 

This  caused  the  Friends  to  suffer  much  in  England  from  the 
want  of  legal  testimony,  for  about  fifty  years ;  but  ihey  were 
relieved  from  taking  oaths  in  1696,  by  a  special  act  of  Parlia- 
ment, and  from  thence  a  dispensation  from  taking  oaths  was 
introduced  into  most  of  the  colonial  governments  of  America, 
and  into  the  Constitution  of  the  United  States.  From  the 
years  1828  to  1838,  several  acts  were  passed  by  Parliament  to 
dispense  with  the  use  of  oaths  in  England,  in  favour  of  con- 
scientious persons,  who  declined  to  take  them ;  and  at  the  re- 
organization of  the  government  now  going  on  in  France, 
pledges  by  oath  are  dispensed  with  in  that  nation. 

Schools  or  seminaries  were  established  by  the  Friends  to 
afford  the  most  useful  course  of  scholastic  education,  from  the 
elementary  or  primary  institutes  to  the  highest  branches  of 
mathematics  and  of  classical  literature,  with  selections  from 
the  best  Latin  and  Greek  authors,  and  the  use  of  the  Hebrew 


INTRODUCTION.  27 

Bible.  The  pupils  were  taught  under  no  prescriptive  form  of 
religious  rules  further  than  to  secure  a  system  of  orderly  and 
moral  conduct.  The  schools  were  open  for  the  admission  of  the 
children  of  all  persons  who  approved  of  their  course  of  useful 
and  guarded  education. 

Their  burial-places  were  arranged  to  be  without  ornament, 
display,  or  expense,  and  to  be  used  free  of  any  charge.  Burials 
were  permitted  of  all  persons  who  were  professors  with  the 
Society,  and  of  all  other  persons,  free  of  charge,  who  had 
desired  to  be  buried  in  their  ground. 

In  their  native  land  and  that  of  their  forefathers,  the  religious 
Society  of  Friends  had  not  been  allowed  these  natural  and  in- 
offensive privileges.  The  power  of  the  church,  united  with 
the  power  of  the  government,  had  controlled  the  rights  of  the 
people  under  laws  and  prejudices  to  such  an  extent,  that  when- 
ever there  was  a  prospect  of  civil  or  religious  liberty  arising 
to  restore  the  natural  rights  of  mankind,  it  was  suppressed 
under  a  pretence  of  its  interference  with  the  prescribed  privi- 
leges of  the  clergy,  or  with  some  of  the  sectarian  institutions 
having  a  temporary  possession  of  power. 

In  looking  over  "  The  Annals  of  the  Christian  Church,"  as 
collected  by  an  Episcopalian  minister,*  and  lately  published, 
the  historical  incidents  show  that  the  Christian  spirit  of  meek- 
ness and  kindness  had  not  been  in  unison  with  it  since  the 
early  ages. 

It  was  scarcely  free  from  the  persecutions  under  the  Roman 
government,  when  it  became  united  with  the  civil  power,  and 
the  records  of  that  period  give  an  account  of  the  continued 
discords  and  internal  dissensions  which  arose  out  of  church 
power  and  supremacy,  with  a  detail  of  contentious  councils, 
excommunications,  crusades,  heresies,  massacres,  and  pro- 
tracted deliberations  upon  abstract  and  incomprehensible 
matters,  inquisitions  to  test  faith  in  absurd  doctrines,  and  per- 
secutions and  martyrdoms  which  were  inflicted  upon  the  most 
virtuous  people,  and  upon  those  who  made  attempts  to  reform 

*  See  Ecclesiastical  Chronology,  by  the  Rev.  J.  E.  Riddle,  London,  1840. 


28  INTRODUCTION. 

the  errors  of  the  church,  or  to  correct  the  conduct  of  the 
clergy. 

If  the  errors  of  those  times  were  also  those  of  the  civil  go- 
vernment during  what  was  so  generally  called  the  "  Dark 
Ages,"  that  period  was  emphatically  darkened  under  the  do- 
minion of  the  officers  of  a  church  who  claimed  to  be  an  edu- 
cated class  or  rank  in  society,  and  who  suffered  no  light  of 
instruction  to  come  among  the  people.  It  had  set  up,  and  it 
had  put  down  at  will,  kings  and  rulers  in  Christendom  for  many 
ages ;  it  annulled  at  will  the  allegiance  of  the  people  to  the 
governments;  it  controlled  the  circulation  of  ihe  Scriptures  and 
of  printing ;  it  confined  or  dispensed  all  literature  and  know- 
ledge, as  well  as  the  tuition  of  the  schools ;  it  took  out  of  the 
courts  of  justice  any  cases  of  crime  to  which,  through  favour- 
itism, the  clerical  power  chose  to  afford  the  celebrated  "  Benefit 
of  Clergy,"  to  transfer  them  to  the  ecclesiastical  courts,  and 
dispose  of  them  as  they  should  see  proper ;  and  it  threatened 
with  the  punishments  of  the  Inquisition  some  of  the  most 
enlightened  philosophers  for  revealing  the  works  of  God  bene- 
volently handed  through  them  to  mankind. 

The  power  of  the  Christian  Church  to  obtain  the  estates  of 
the  people,  was  beyond  all  similitude  in  the  annals  of  any 
country. 

Under  the  specious  pleas  of  charity  or  for  spiritual  service 
or  intercession,  more  than  one  half  the  lands  in  England  be- 
came diverted  from  its  legal  descent  to  the  lawful  heirs,  by  be- 
quests made  to  the  clergy  and  to  the  churches;  and  although 
the  government  passed  successive  statutes  of  mortmain  during 
more  than  five  hundred  years  to  annul  such  legacies,  the  laws 
were  fraudulently  evaded  by  the  devices  of  the  clergy,  and 
continued  to  be  so,  until  the  church  power  became  weakened 
at  the  Protestant  Revolution. 

It  will  not  therefore  appear  strange  that  professors  of  the 
Christian  religion  desirous  to  live  under  it  in  its  purity,  should 
make  their  escape  from  such  scenes  of  distrust  and  confusion : 
for  even  when  the  Reformation  had  taken  place  in  England, 


INTRODUCTION.  29 

and  the  Papal  or  Roman  Catholic  supremacy  terminated,  the 
Protestant  part  of  the  community  was  left  unprepared  to  build 
up  a  system  without  its  errors;  this  party  had  still  its  views  of 
maintaining  a  civil  and  clerical  power,  and  of  obtaining  the 
wealth  of  the  church  establishments :  in  consequence  of  which 
it  divided  into  contending  parties. 

Some  of  these  people  who  emigrated  and  came  to  America, 
were  of  the  highly  religious  professions.  They  escaped  it  is 
true  from  the  control  of  the  Protestant  supremacy  which  had 
just  succeeded  to  the  Roman  Catholic  ;  but  their  Exodus  did 
not  take  place  in  that  spirit  of  kindness  to  others  which  a  com- 
mon suffering  should  have  taught  them  :  they  did  not  extend 
a  toleration  of  religion  to  their  Christian  brethren ;  but  instead 
of  this,  a  spirit  of  religious  domination  accompanied  them,  par- 
ticularly into  New  England,  and  was  engrafted  into  their  laws 
and  institutions. 

It  is  now  proper  to  advert  to  the  Colony  of  Pennsylvania,  to 
see  how  far  it  was  preserved  from  these  evils  by  the  pecuHarity 
of  its  settlement;  and  it  ought  to  be  borne  in  mind  that  the  So- 
ciety of  Friends  who  settled  that  province,  had  dissented  more 
materially  than  others  from  many  of  the  civil  as  well  as  from 
the  religious  institutions  in  England,  and  therefore  the  support 
of  their  tenets  was  attended  by  peculiar  difficulties. 

All  the  church  establishments,  and  the  military  system,  and 
their  extended  interests,  were  in  direct  opposition  to  the  views 
of  the  Friends ;  and  as  to  the  legal  profession,  their  prudential 
conduct  was  a  peaceful  example  against  its  controversies,  ex- 
penses, and  impositions. 

Having  undergone  many  severe  persecutions  in  England  for 
their  religious  conduct  for  nearly  half  a  century,  the  Friends 
were  the  last  company  who  left  there  to  settle  in  America. 
They  availed  themselves  of  the  opportunity  to  emigrate  under 
the  auspices  of  their  fellow-member  William  Penn,  on  his  ob- 
taining, on  the  4th  of  March,  1681,  a  grant  of  the  Province  of 
Pennsylvania  from  King  Charles  II.,  in  order  to  make  a  peace- 


30  INTRODUCTION. 

ful  settlement  in  the  western  world,  and  to  get  rid  of  their 
oppressions  in  their  native  land. 

They  trusted  with  great  reliance  that  the  same  principles  as 
those  of  the  Gospel  would  appear  in  the  minds  of  the  untutored 
Indians,  who  would  become  willing  to  participate  in  the  offer- 
ing of  a  peaceful  spirit. 

Trusting  also  to  the  integrity  which  guided  their  own  con- 
duct, they  firmly  relied  upon  their  Christian  faith  to  sustain 
them  in  a  wild  and  foreign  country,  unmolested  by  the  unfeel- 
ing disposition  manifested  by  the  people  at  home,  who  under 
the  profession  of  Christianity,  had  cast  aside  the  cardinal  prin- 
ciples of  benevolence  and  justice. 

It  was  this  people  who  convinced  by  their  truthful  conduct 
the  natives  of  the  country  of  the  sincerity  of  their  profession, 
and  of  the  efficiency  of  their  peaceful  plan  of  settlement,  and 
extended  the  toleration  of  religion  to  the  members  of  all  socie- 
ties. By  their  frame  of  government  they  granted  as  a  char- 
tered right,  liberty  of  conscience  to  all  people  who  would  settle 
in  the  Province ;  and  it  was  the  only  one  which  had  been 
granted  to  mankind  by  any  of  the  professors  of  Christianity. 

In  the  contemplation  of  this,  and  of  the  peaceful  alliance  be- 
tween the  Friends  and  the  Indian  natives,  Voltaire  has  re- 
corded :  "  It  was  the  only  treaty  made  with  the  natives  of  the 
New  World  which  was  not  ratified  by  an  oath,  and  the  only 
one  which  has  not  been  broken." 

There  are  several  authors  who  have  made  or  extended  the 
same  remarks.  In  Arthur  O'Leary's  Essay  on  Toleration  he 
says :  "  William  Penn,  the  great  legislator  of  the  Quakers, 
had  the  success  of  a  conqueror  in  establishing  and  defending 
his  colony  without  ever  drawing  the  sword ;  the  tenderness 
of  an  universal  father,  who  opened  his  arms  to  all  mankind, 
without  distinction  of  sect  or  party ;  and  in  his  republic  it  was 
not  the  religious  creed,  but  personal  merit  that  entitled  every 
member  of  society  to  the  protection  and  emoluments  of  the 
state." 

The  frame  of  government  formed  by  the  Proprietary  for  the 
inhabitants,  was  executed  in  England,  25th  April,  1682.  It  was 


INTRODUCTION.  3 1 

in  the  nature  of  a  mutual  compact,  and  it  was  not  to  be  altered 
without  the  consent  of  the  Proprietary  and  of  six-sevenths  of 
the  freemen  of  the  Provincial  Council  and  Assembly.  It  was 
in  twenty-four  articles  and  forty  laws.  The  law  on  Religious 
Rights  is  as  follows  : 

"  That  all  persons  living  in  this  Province,  who  confess  and 
acknowledge  the  one  almighty  and  eternal  God  to  be  the 
creator,  upholder,  and  ruler  of  the  world,  and  who  hold  them- 
selves obliged  in  conscience  to  live  peaceably  and  justly  in 
civil  society,  shall  in  no  wise  be  molested  or  prejudiced  for 
their  religious  persuasion  or  practice  in  matters  of  faith  or 
worship ;  nor  shall  they  be  compelled  at  any  time  to  frequent 
or  maintain  any  religious  worship-place  or  ministry  whatever."* 

The  Abbe  Raynal  in  his  History  of  the  Indies  says :  "  Penn's 
humanity  could  not  be  extended  to  the  savages  only;  it  ex- 
tended to  all  who  were  desirous  of  living  under  his  laws.  Sen- 
sible that  the  happiness  of  a  people  depended  upon  the  nature 
of  the  legislation,  he  founded  his  upon  those  true  principles  of 
private  felicity — liberty  and  property." 

"  The  mind  dwells  with  pleasure  upon  this  part  of  modern 
history,  and  feels  some  kind  of  compensation  for  the  disgust, 
horror,  or  melancholy,  which  the  whole  of  it,  but  particularly 
the  account  of  the  European  settlements  in  America  inspires."f 

Montesquieu,  in  the  Spirit  of  Laws,  has  the  following  senti- 
ment on  the  government  of  Pennsylvania  :J 

"  A  character  so  extraordinary  in  the  institutions  of  Greece, 
has  shown  itself  lately  in  the  dregs  and  corruptions  of  modern 
times;  a  very  honest  legislator  has  formed  a  people  to  whom 
probity  seems  as  natural  as  bravery  to  the  Spartans. 

"  Mr.  Penn  is  a  real  Lycurgus,  and,  although  the  former 
made  peace  his  principal  aim,  as  the  latter  did  war,  yet,  they 
resemble  one  another  in  the  singular  way  of  living  to  which 
they  reduced  their  people, — in  the  ascendency  they  had  over 
freemen,  in  the  prejudices  they  overcame,  and  in  the  passions 
which  they  subdued." 


*  See  Proud's  History  of  Pennsylvania,  Appendix  No,  2,  page  19. 
+  See  Raynal,  Book  18.  t  See  4th  Book. 


32  INTRODUCTION. 

Of  these  rights  to  the  natural  gifts  of  Providence  as  far  as 
they  could  be  secured  by  the  Proprietary  to  his  fellow-beings, 
they  were  fully  sensible.  It  gave  them  the  first  practical  assu- 
rance— "  That  all  men  are  created  equal ;  that  they  are  en- 
dowed by  their  Creator  with  certain  unalienable  rights,  among 
which  are  life,  liberty,  and  the  pursuit  of  happiness." 

For  the  welcome  reception  which  the  natives  of  the  country 
gave  to  the  emigrants  they  deserved  the  kindness  which  was 
shown  them,  and  they  v.-ere  sensible  of  this  when  they  re- 
ceived it. 

In  consequence  of  the  quarrelsome  conduct  of  the  colonists 
on  the  north  and  on  the  south  of  Pennsylvania,  the  fiercest 
wars  with  the  natives  had  ensued ;  but  in  this  Province  they 
joined  in  with  the  peaceful  spirit  that  prevailed,  and  became 
kind  and  friendly, — so  that  love  and  respect  without  fear 
governed  their  relation  to  each  other. 

In  the  agreements  made  between  the  natives  and  the  govern- 
ment or  settlers,  there  were  considerations  of  mutual  benefit. 

The  natives  granted  amicably  the  liberty  of  settlement,  oc- 
cupation of  the  soil  and  residence,  and  these  afforded  a  mutual 
accommodation  of  their  interests,  tending  to  an  increase  of  their 
happiness. 

The  settlers  introduced  among  the  natives  improvements  in 
the  adaptation  of  the  country  for  agriculture,  and  social  life, 
then  commencing  in  the  western  world,  and  soon  to  come 
among  them. 

"  The  publication  of  this  settlement  and  of  the  frame  of 
government,  spread  through  Europe,  and  added  lo  the  celebrity 
and  filling  up  of  this  colony  from  many  of  the  kingdoms  and 
states,  surcharged  with  oppressed  inhabitants,  under  the  feudal 
system."*  And  under  such  an  equitable  arrangement  for 
mutual  benefit,  as  long  as  the  affairs  of  the  colony  were  under 
the  control  of  the  Friends,  for  about  seventy  years,  there  were 
no  differences  with  the  Indians,  for  they  were  satisfied  that 
their  rights  and  interests  were  respected  equally  with  the  rights 
of  any  other  people  in  the  Province. 

*  See  Miers  Fisher's  Notes. 


INTRODUCTION. 


39 


But  when  the  European  Seven  Years'  War  broke  out  between 
France  and  England,  which  existed  fronn  1756  to  1763,  and 
was  carried  on  in  America  by  the  EngUsh  for  the  conquest  of 
Canada,  the  Indians  on  the  frontier  became  influenced  by  the 
French  into  hostile  measures,  and  as  auxiliaries  they  invaded 
Western  Pennsylvania,  and  fought  the  battle  near  Pittsburg,  at 
the  defeat  of  General  Braddock,  on  the  9th  of  July,  1755. 

This  was  the  first  instance  of  hostile  conduct  on  the  part  of 
the  Indians,  and  in  Gordon's  History  of  Pennsylvania,  p.  325,  he 
writes,  "  The  Indians  remained  very  inimical  for  some  time, 
till  the  return  of  the  Shawnese  and  Delawares  to  a  pacific 
disposition.  This  was  greatly  promoted  by  the  conduct  of  the 
principal  Quakers.  Israel  Pemberton  and  several  others  had 
invited  some  friendly  Indians  to  their  tables,  and  awakened 
their  earnest  wishes  for  peace.  This  conference  was  held  by 
permission  of  the  governor  (Robert  Hunter  Morris).  But  by 
the  advice  of  his  council,  the  subject  was  left  entirely  to  the 
management  of  the  Friends." 

The  Colony  of  Pennsylvania  had  thus  continued  to  realize 
the  best  expectations  which  could  have  been  formed  for  it. 
The  inhabitants,  guided  by  good  examples,  were  industrious  ; 
the  land  productive,  the  laws  equal,  religious  rights  were 
enjoyed  by  all,  and  a  representative  government  in  the  hands 
of  the  people. 

The  foreign  or  international  concerns  of  the  country  were 
in  the  hands  of  the  British  government,  and  but  little  influenced 
the  administration  of  the  Colony.  By  the  treaty  of  1763, 
nnade  with  France,  that  nation  ceded  to  the  English  all  the 
Canada  country,  in  favour  of  their  retaining  which,  at  the 
peace.  Doctor  Franklin  took  a  very  active  and  efficient  interest, 
and  addressed  to  the  ministry  his  celebrated  Canada  pamphlet. 
This  country  became  thus  united  to  the  English  colonies,  and 
the  toleration  of  religion  was  not  only  introduced  there,  but  ex- 
tended through  the  valley  of  the  Mississippi,  and  was  eventually 
secured  through  all  western  North  America. 

3 


34 


INTRODUCTION. 


The  Society  of  Friends  had  never  engaged  in  any  national 
controversies  of  religion  or  politics,  for  their  views  of  the  injunc- 
tions of  the  Christian  religion,  and  of  its  conservative  character, 
were  paramount  to  every  other  consideration.  They  had  a 
belief  that  the  dispensation  of  this  religion  was  sufficiently 
opened  to  mankind  to  be  of  practical  application,  so  that  when 
difierences  occurred,  they  could  and  ought  to  be  settled  upon 
the  catholic  principles  it  enjoined. 

When,  therefore,  after  the  British  nation  had  become  the 
unrivalled  possessors  of  nearly  all  the  continent  of  North 
America,  and  the  measures  of  that  government  tended  to  pass 
laws  restrictive  upon  the  colonies,  which  created  differences 
proceeding  to  retaliation  and  independent  rule,  a  state  of 
difficulty  ensued,  requiring  the  Society  of  Friends  to  sustain  its 
peaceable  principles  by  an  injunction  upon  its  members  to  with- 
draw from  all  warlike  measures. 

It  ought  not  to  be  considered  unreasonable  that  the  Friends, 
after  having  under  their  own  peaceful  laws  and  discipline  pro- 
vided for  all  the  exigencies  of  the  state,  both  "  for  the  savage  and 
the  sage,"  should  have  declined  to  take  any  part  in  a  contest 
among  their  own  brethren,  waging  a  warfare  to  an  extent  they 
could  not  estimate,  and  certainly  not  control. 

And  was  it  just  or  reasonable  that  the  Friends,  who  had 
established  and  conducted  the  government  for  nearly  a  century 
under  the  principles  of  peace,  should  on  a  change  of  power  in 
the  province,  be  proscribed  and  treated  as  aliens  and  enemies 
to  their  country,  because  they  could  not  join  in  hostile  measures 
when  these  were  expedient  only  according  to  the  judgment  of 
others  ?  And  would  it  not  have  been  consistent  with  the  rights 
of  mankind,  so  well  known  as  the  purpose  of  the  Revolution, 
that  the  motives  and  conduct  of  the  Friends  should  have  been 
clearly  ascertained,  that  as  a  conscientious  people  they  should 
have  been  accordingly  protected,  and  allowed  to  remain  quietly 
at  their  homes,  without  molestation  ? 

Just  as  these  considerations  are  claimed  to  be,  the  follow- 
ing narrative  will  show  what  little  regard  was  paid  to  the 


INTRODUCTION. 


35 


Friends  in  Philadelpiiia,  for  their  considerate  and  equitable 
conduct  to  others  ! ! 

During  the  second  year  of  the  war  of  the  American  Revo- 
lution, the  English  army  was  brought  round  by  sea  from  New 
York  into  Chesapeake  Bay  ;  they  were  landed  near  the  head  of 
the  bay  on  the  22d  of  August,  and  after  the  battle  of  Brandy- 
wine  on  the  11th  of  September,  1777,  they  passed  through  the 
State  of  Pennsylvania,  to  take  possession  of  the  city  of 
Philadelphia. 

The  House  of  Congress  was  then  in  session  at  Philadelphia, 
— the  Legislature  of  Pennsylvania, — and  the  Supreme  Executive 
Council,  consisting  of  twelve  members  with  its  president,  esta- 
blished by  the  State  Constitution  of  28th  September,  1776, — and 
there  also,  sat  the  Committee  of  Safety,  which  held  its  private 
assemblages  as  an  acting  committee,  whose  doings  and  minutes 
were  assumed  by  the  Supreme  Executive  Council. 

Congress,  by  a  resolve  of  25th  August,  1777,  recommended 
as  follows :  "  That  the  executive  officers  of  the  states  of 
Pennsylvania  and  Delaware,  be  requested  to  cause  all  persons, 
within  the  respective  States,  notoriously  disaffected,  forthwith 
to  be  disarmed  and  secured,  until  such  time  as  they  may  be 
released  without  injury  to  the  common  cause. 

"  That  it  be  recommended  to  the  Supreme  Executive  Council 
of  the  State  of  Pennsylvania,  to  cause  diligent  search  to  be 
made  in  the  houses  of  all  the  inhabitants  of  the  city  of  Phila- 
delphia, who  have  not  manifested  their  attachment  to  the 
American  caase,  for  firearms,  swords,  bayonets,  &c." 

These  resolutions,  from  their  construction,  could  scarcely 
have  been  intended  for  the  Society  of  Friends. 

But  under  the  general  recommendation  of  these  resolutions, 
the  Supreme  Executive  Council  considered  it  within  their  license 
to  arrest  several  of  the  most  respectable  inhabitants  of  Philadel- 
phia, chiefly  of  the  Society  of  Friends,  to  represent  them  to  be 
amenable  to  the  charges  contained  in  it,  and  because  they  would 
not  consent  to  be  subjected  to  such  a  deprivation  of  their  liberty 
as  was  unworthy  of  respectable  citizens,  and  men  of  uninn- 


36 


INTRODUCTION. 


peachable  character,  and  as  they  would  not  assent  to  join  in 
with  the  measures  of  the  Revolution,  the  Council  declared  the 
Friends  to  be  notoriously  disaffected  to  the  cause  of  American 
freedom.  Their  case  was  then  repoi'ted  to  a  Congress  unac- 
quainted with  their  principles,  and  with  their  personal  character. 

Nearly  at  the  same  time,  as  appears  on  the  minutes  of  Con- 
gress of  28t[i  August,  1777,  there  had  been  transmitted  to  it  a 
letter  from  General  Sullivan,  dated  at  Hanover,  near  Newark, 
New  Jersey,  on  the  25th  August,  enclosing  a  paper  said  to  have 
been  found  among  baggage  taken  at  Staten  Island. 

This  paper  professed  to  contain  information  from  a  yearly 
meeting  of  Friends,  said  to  be  held  on  the  19th  of  August,  at 
SpanJitown,  a  place  scarcely  known  even  as  an  inferior  part  of 
Rahway,  which  was  a  remote  town  on  the  east  side  of  New 
Jersey. 

Owing  to  the  ignorance  of  Congress  respecting  the  Society 
of  Friends,  this  production  became  thus  imposed  upon  them. 
It  stated  under  its  date  of  25th  August,  that  General  Howe 
had  landed  at  the  head  of  Chesapeake  Bay,  and  it  contained 
various  desultory  information  of  a  very  inconsistent  character, 
which  Congress,  under  date  of  3 1st  August,  directed  to  be 
published, — a  copy  of  which  is  given  in  this  volume,  and  it  is 
yet  to  be  found  at  the  Philadelphia  Library,  in  No.  2533  of  the 
Pennsylvania  Register,  dated  10th  September,  1777,  and  also 
in  No,  304  of  Dunlap's  Pennsylvania  Packet,  of  Tuesday,  9th 
September,  1777.  In  both  of  these  it  is  certified  to  be  published 
by  Order  of  Congress,  by  Charles  Thomson,  Secretary. 

By  the  charge  of  authorship  of  such  a  production  upon  the 
Society  of  Friends,  it  was  intended  still  farther  to  injure  their 
character  in  the  estimation  of  Congress,  to  lead  to  an  inference 
that  their  religious  meetings  were  connected  with  political  pur- 
poses, and  to  create  prejudices  against  them  among  the  people ; 
but  a  full  exculpation  of  the  Society  from  any  shadow  of  its 
authorship  is  to  be  found  in  the  contradictory  statements  of 
dates  in  the  paper  itself,  as  well  as  in  its  general  tenor  and 


INTRODUCTION. 


37 


character;  and  this  is  fully  set  forth  in  the  course  of  the  fol- 
lowing Journal  and  Memoirs.    In  these  it  will  be  seen — 

In  the  first  place,  that  no  meeting  of  the  Society  had  ever 
been  held  at  the  designated  place — selected  as  if  in  derision  of 
the  Society,  "  Spanldoirn'" — the  places  of  holding  their  yearly 
meetings  being  always  at  the  most  respectable  towns  or  cities 
through  the  country,  and  advertised  in  the  annual  publications. 

In  the  second  place,  that  the  letter  professed  to  contain  in- 
formation from  the  eastern  part  of  New  Jersey,  and  to  be 
brought  by  way  of  Staten  Island  under  date  of  19th  August, 
respecting  the  landing  of  the  British  army  at  the  head  of  the 
Chesapeake  Bay,  which  did  not  take  place  till  the  22d  August. 
The  intelligence  of  this,  however,  had  reached  Philadelphia 
on  the  23d,  and  must  have  been  known  to  Congress,  because  it 
is  stated  on  their  minutes  on  the  25th  August,  and  thence  there 
was  issued  the  publication  made  by  their  order  on  the  31st 
August. 

It  would  appear  almost  useless  to  add  to  this  statement  any 
remarks  respecting  such  a  publication,  and  of  the  impropriety 
and  unkindness  of  thus  intending  to  injure  the  standing  of  a 
large  and  respectable  portion  of  fellow-citizens  in  the  opinion 
of  an  uninformed,  and  therefore  undiscriminating  public.  But, 
if  owing  to  a  want  of  time  or  the  agitating  military  movements 
in  the  country,  the  Supreme  Executive  Council,  who  were  then 
appointed  to  be  the  guardians  of  the  rights  of  the  people,  had 
not  prevented  the  application  made  by  the  persons  so  charged 
to  have  a  hearing  in  a  court  of  justice,  these  misrepresentations 
would  have  been  made  obvious  ;  the  Friends  would  then  have 
been  placed  in  public  estimation  in  that  state  of  innocence  and 
inoffensive  character  which  their  accusers  were  compelled  to 
accede  to  them,  after  these  attempts  to  criminate  them  and  to 
debar  them  of  their  constitutional  rights  had  failed. 

The  persons  arrested,  to  the  number  of  twenty,  form  the 
subject  of  this  volume,  and  were  part  of  a  larger  list.  They 
were  taken  into  custody  by  military  force  at  their  homes  or 
usual  places  of  business ;  many  of  them  could  not  obtain  any 


38 


INTRODUCTION. 


t 


knowledge  of  the  cause  of  their  arrest,  or  of  any  one  to  whom 
they  were  amenable,  and  they  could  only  hope  to  avail  them- 
selves of  the  intervention  of  some  civil  authority. 

The  Executive  Council  being  formed  of  residents  of  the 
City  and  County  of  Philadelphia,  had  a  better  knowledge  of 
the  Society  of  Friends,  and  of  their  individual  characters,  than 
the  members  of  Congress,  assembled  from  the  various  parts  of 
the  country,  and  ought  to  have  protected  them.  But  instead 
of  this,  they  caused  these  arrests  of  their  fellow-citizens  to  be 
made  with  unrelenting  severity,  and  from  the  first  to  the  fourth 
day  of  September,  1777,  the  party  was  taken  into  confinement 
in  the  Masons'  Lodge  in  Philadelphia. 

On  the  minutes  of  Congress  of  3d  September,  1777,  it  ap- 
pears that  a  letter  was  received  by  them  from  George  Bryan, 
Vice-President  of  the  Supreme  Executive  Council,  dated  2(Z 
September,  stating  that  arrests  had  been  made  of  persons  ini- 
mical to  the  American  States,  and  desiring  the  advice  of  Con- 
gress particularly  whether  Augusta  and  Winchester,  in  Vir- 
ginia, iDould  not  be  jproper  places  at  which  to  secure  the  prisoners. 

Appalled  by  the  cruelty  of  such  a  novel  proposition,  the  per- 
sons arrested  immediately  represented  the  injustice  of  such 
treatment  to  the  Supreme  Executive  Council  and  to  Congress ; 
and  their  remonstrances  were  accompanied,  under  a  very  feel- 
ing consideration  of  their  case,  by  an  address  to  the  President 
and  Supreme  Executive  Council  of  Pennsylvania,  signed  by 
most  of  the  other  members  of  the  Society  in  and  near  Phila- 
delphia— a  copy  of  which  is  given  in  the  Journal.  In  this  me- 
morial they  state  "  that  these  persons  were  denied  the  just  and 
reasonable  right  of  being  heard,  and  since  ordered  to  be  re- 
moved to  a  distant  part  of  Virginia  :  a  proceeding  which  not 
only  affects  the  persons  immediately  concerned,  but  is  an 
alarming  violation  of  the  civil  and  religious  rights  of  the  com- 
munity, which  we  conceive  no  plea  of  necessity  can  justify." 

Congress  must  have  been  aware  that  it  was  becoming  a  case 
of  very  unjust  suffering,  for  they  passed  their  resolution  of  6th 
September,  1777,  as  follows  : 


INTRODUCTION. 


39 


"  That  it  be  recommended  to  the  Supreme  Executive  Council 
of  the  State  of  Pennsylvania,  to  hear  what  the  said  remon- 
strants can  allege  to  remove  the  suspicions  of  their  being  dis- 
affected or  dangerous  to  the  United  States." 

But  the  Supreme  Executive  Council  on  the  same  day  refer- 
ring to  the  above, 

"  Resolved,  That  the  President  do  write  to  Congress  to  let 
them  know  that  the  Council  has  not  time  to  attend  to  that  busi- 
ness in  the  present  alarming  crisis,  and  that  they  were,  agreea- 
bly to  the  recommendation  of  Congress,  at  the  moment  the 
Resolve  was  brought  into  Council,  disposing  of  every  thing  for 
the  departure  of  the  prisoners." 

By  reference  to  the  preceding  minutes  of  Congress,  it  ap- 
pears evident  that  the  Supreme  Executive  Council  had  been 
directed  only  to  arrest  and  secure  persons  adjudged  to  be  no- 
toriously disaffected  to  the  cause  of  America  ;  to  take  from 
them  firearms,  swords,  bayonets,  &c.,  and  to  obtain  and  secure 
political  papers.  And  it  further  appears,  that  even  after  the 
Council  had  informed  Congress  of  the  arrests  they  had  made, 
and  proposed  on  the  2d  day  of  September  to  send  the  parties 
to  banishment  into  Virginia,  that  Congress  recommended  to 
the  Council  on  the  6th  September,  to  "  hear  what  the  remon- 
strants can  allege  in  their  defence." 

Had  this  been  permitted,  the  persons  arrested  would  have 
been  found  innocent  of  any  notorious  disaffection  to  the  cause 
of  America,  or  of  having  used  any  influence  in  regard  to  the 
existing  contest.  After  their  houses  had  been  searched,  there 
were  found  no  instruments  of  offence  or  of  defence  even  for 
personal  security,  much  less  firearms,  swords,  or  bayonets,  and 
although  their  desks  were  broken  open  in  their  absence,  no 
papers  of  a  political  character  could  be  found — because  they 
never  had  corresponded  with  anyone  relatively  to  the  Revolution, 
or  to  controversial  politics. 

The  act  of  sending  from  their  homes  and  families  peaceable 
citizens  against  whom  no  imputation  could  be  sustained  ;  whose 
positions  in  business  were  permanent ;  whose  attention  was  in- 


40 


INTRODUCTION. 


dispensable  to  the  immediate  necessities  of  their  famiHes  ;  and 
whose  principles  and  conduct  were  a  full  security  to  the  public 
peace, — was  against  the  established  assurances  of  society,  and 
an  act  of  violence  and  oppression. 

Thus  arrested,  they  were  conducted  away  without  previous 
notice  ; — without  conference  with  their  accusers  ; — held  in 
custody  without  specific  allegation;  —  committed  without  a 
trial ; — to  be  punished  without  a  hearing ; — and  then  to  be 
banished  for  an  indefinite  time,  without  reference  to  any  degree 
of  supposed  offence. 

The  recommendations  of  Congress  respecting  the  military 
precautions  of  the  war  were  made  general,  but  the  executive 
authorities  were  charged  with  the  just  application  of  them.  As 
the  Supreme  Executive  Council  had  taken  the  responsibility  of 
this,  Congress  considered  the  persons  arrested  to  be  prisoners 
of  the  State  of  Pennsylvania ;  and  as  such  subjected  to  the 
orders  of  the  Supreme  Executive  Council,  and  the  destination 
it  had  allotted  them. 

As  the  recommendation  of  Congress  of  the  6th  September,  to 
give  the  prisoners  a  hearing,  was  refused  by  the  Supreme  Exe- 
cutive Council,  the  next  minute  made  by  Congress  was  as 
follows : 

"  In  Congress,  8  September,  1777. 

"  Resolved,  That  it  would  be  improper  for  Congress  to  enter 
into  a  hearing  of  the  remonstrants  or  other  prisoners  in  the 
Masons'  Lodge,  they  being  inhabitants  of  Pennsylvania ;  and 
therefore,  as  the  Council  declines  giving  them  a  hearing  for  the 
reasons  assigned  in  their  letter  to  Congress,  that  it  be  recom- 
mended to  said  Council  to  order  the  immediate  departure  of 
such  of  the  said  prisoners  as  yet  refuse  to  swear  or  affirm  alle- 
giance to  the  State  of  Pennsylvania,  to  Staunton,  in  Virginia." 

The  remonstrances  made  to  Congress,  and  to  the  Supreme 
Executive  Council,  being  unavailing,  the  parties  arrested  were 
ordered  to  depart  for  Virginia,  on  the  11th  September,  1777, 


INTRODUCTION. 


41 


when  as  their  last  resource  they  appHed  under  the  laws  of 
Pennsylvania  to  be  brought  before  the  Judicial  Court  by  writs 
of  habeas  corpus. 

The  departure  of  the  prisoners  was  committed  to  the  care  of 
Colonel  Jacob  Morgan  of  Bucks  County,  and  they  were  guarded 
by  six  of  the  Light  Horse,  commanded  by  Alexander  Nesbitt 
and  Samuel  Caldwell,  who  were  to  obey  the  despatches  from 
the  Board  of  War,  of  which  General  Horatio  Gates  was  Pre- 
sident, directed  to  the  Lieutenants  of  the  counties  through 
which  the  prisoners  were  to  pass. 

The  writs  of  habeas  corpus  on  being  presented  to  the  Chief 
Justice,  were  marked  by  him,  " Allowed  by  Thomas  M''Kean" 
and  they  were  served  on  the  officers  who  had  the  prisoners  in 
custody,  when  they  had  been  taken  on  their  journey  as  far  as 
Reading,  Pennsylvania,  on  the  14th  day  of  September,  but  the 
officers  refused  to  obey  them. 

It  appears  by  the  Journal  of  the  Supreme  Executive  Council 
of  the  16th  of  September,  that  Alexander  Nesbitt,  one  of  the 
officers,  had  previously  obtained  information  about  the  writs, 
and  made  a  report  of  them  ;  when  the  Pennsylvania  Legislature, 
at  the  instance  of  the  Supreme  Executive  Council,  passed  a 
law  on  the  16th  of  September,  1777,  to  suspend  the  habeas 
corpus  act ;  and  although  it  was  an  "  ex  post  facto"  law  as  it 
related  to  their  case,  the  Supreme  Executive  Council  on  that 
day  ordered  the  same  to  be  carried  into  effect. 

The  Congress  must  have  been  utterly  regardless  of  the  com- 
plaint made  so  lately  by  themselves  against  the  arbitrary  con- 
duct of  the  British  Parliament,  when  they  disregarded  this 
appeal  made  to  themselves  for  humanity  and  justice.  The  fol- 
lowing is  an  extract  from  one  of  their  addresses  to  the  people 
of  Great  Britain,  and  is  dated  on  the  21st  October,  1774. 

We  hold  it  essential  to  English  liberty,  that  no  man  be  con- 
demned unheard,  or  punished  for  supposed  offences  without 
having  an  opportunity  of  making  his  defence,"* 


•  See  Hubley,  p.  95. 


42 


INTRODUCTION. 


Disregarding,  however,  all  i-emonstrances,  these  citizens, 
without  the  senriblance  of  justice  or  law,  were  sent  into  banish- 
ment. 

The  party  consisted  of  twenty  persons,  of  whom  seventeen 
were  members  of  the  Society  of  Friends.  They  were  ordered 
first  to  Staunton,  then  a  frontier  town  in  the  western  settle- 
ments of  Virginia,  but  afterwards  to  be  detained  at  Winchester, 
where  they  were  kept  in  partial  confinement  nearly  eight 
months,  without  'provision  being  made  for  their  support.  For 
the  only  reference  to  this,  was  by  a  resolution  of  the  Supreme 
Executive  Council  of  Pennsylvania,  dated  8th  April,  1778,  as 
follows : 

"  Ordered,  That  the  whole  expenses  of  arresting  and  confining 
the  prisoners  sent  to  Virginia,  the  expenses  of  their  journey,  and 
all  other  incidental  charges,  be  paid  by  the  said  prisoners.'^ 

During  the  stay  of  the  exiles  at  Winchester,  nearly  all  of 
them  suffered  greatly  from  circumstances  unavoidable  in  their 
situation, — from  anxiety,  separation  from  their  families,  left  un- 
protected in  Philadelphia,  then  a  besieged  city  liable  at  any 
time  to  be  starved  out  or  taken  by  assault ;  while  from  sick- 
ness and  exposure  during  the  winter  season,  in  accommoda- 
tions entirely  unsuitable  for  them,  two  of  their  number  departed 
this  life  in  the  month  of  March,  1778. 

General  sympathy  had  become  excited  on  account  of  so 
large  a  number  of  respectable  citizens  having  been  sent  away 
from  their  homes  under  no  specific  accusation,  and  the  case 
became  one  of  public  concernment  as  it  respected  the  rights  of 
society  at  large. 

In  consequence  of  this,  the  Supreme  Executive  Council  of 
Pennsylvania  had  to  yield  to  the  sense  of  public  feeling,  and  re- 
view their  conduct,  and  to  remand  the  prisoners  from  the  cus- 
tody of  Congress  in  order  to  have  them  brought  back  to  the 
position  from  which  they  had  been  taken.  And  the  following 
extract  from  the  journals  of  Congress  will  show  the  immediate 
cause  of  the  order  given  for  their  being  returned  to  Pennsyl- 
vania. 


INTRODUCTION. 


43 


"  In  Congress,  Tuesday,  10  March,  1778. 

"A  letter  was  received  from  the  Executive  Council  of  Penn- 
sylvania, dated  the  7th  instant,  in  which  it  was  stated — that 
the  dangerous  example  which  the  longer  continuance  of  the 
prisoners  in  banishment  may  afford  on  future  occasions,  has 
already  given  uneasiness  to  some  good  friends  of  the  indepen- 
dence of  these  States;  and  if  Congress  has  no  other  reason  for 
continuing  them  in  Virginia  than  the  Council  is  acquainted 
with,  thai  such  orders  may  be  given  as  will  put  those  people 
again  under  the  direction  and  custody  of  the  President  and 
Council  of  this  State." 

The  House  of  Congress  acceded  at  once  to  the  application 
of  the  Supreme  Executive  Council  respecting  the  prisoners, 
and  passed  a  resolution  on  the  16th  March,  directing  the  Board 
of  War  to  deliver  "  the  prisoners  of  the  State  of  Pennsylvania" 
to  the  order  of  the  Supreme  Executive  Council,  that  they  might 
be  returned  to  Pennsylvania. 

Many  of  the  members  of  Congress  had  previously  had  inter- 
views with  Alexander  White,  Esquire,  a  gentleman  of  the 
highest  respectability  from  the  county  of  Fairfax,  Virginia,  to 
whose  care  the  banished  party  had  been  committed  by  Colo- 
nel Joseph  Holmes,  the  United  States  Commissary.  Alexander 
White  was  afterwards  a  representative  from  the  State  of  Vir- 
ginia to  Congress.  In  those  interviews  the  members  of  Con- 
gress frequently  declared  that  "  the  prisoners  ought  to  have 
been  at  their  homes,  for  their  banishment  had  answered  no 
valuable  purpose  whatever." 

The  long  stay  of  the  prisoners  at  Winchester,  it  is  true,  was 
palliated  at  times  by  the  sympathy  and  kindness  shown  them ; 
and  from  the  effect  produced  by  their  exemplary  conduct  as 
gentlemen  and  citizens,  their  manners,  education,  and  candour 
showed  them  to  be  persons  entitled  to  respect,  notwithstanding 
the  prejudices  and  misrepresentations  which  had  been  excited 
against  them. 

On  a  fair  exposition  taking  place  respecting  their  peculiar 


44 


INTRODUCTION. 


situation,  they  received  the  attention  and  esteenn  of  the  gentle- 
nnen  residing  at  Winchester,  and  in  the  country  around  it; 
some  of  whom  had  previously  visited  them  at  their  houses  in 
Philadelphia. 

The  orders  sent  for  their  return  to  Pennsylvania,  influenced 
by  a  more  correct  state  of  public  feeling,  contained  expressions 
of  personal  respect  even  from  the  President  and  Supreme  Exe- 
cutive Council  which  had  sent  them  away. 

By  the  order  from  Congress  of  16th  March,  1778,  to  the 
Board  of  War,  the  exiles  were  to  be  delivered  to  the  order  of 
the  President  and  Supreme  Executive  Council  of  Pennsylvania, 
and  then,  by  an  order  of  this  Council,  they  were  to  be  brought 
to  Lancaster,  to  be  discharged  there. 

In  the  directions  of  10th  April,  1778,  to  Francis  Y.  Bailey 
and  Captain  James  Lang,  who  were  appointed  to  escort  them, 
the  orders  were  as  follows  : 

"  It  is  reported  that  several  of  those  gentlemen  are  in  a  low 
state  of  health  and  unfit  to  travel.  If  you  find  this  to  be  the 
case,  they  must  be  left  where  they  are,  for  the  present.  Those 
of  them  who  are  in  health  you  are  to  bring  with  you,  treating 
ihem  on  the  road  with  that  polite  attention  and  care,  which  is 
due  from  men  who  act  from  the  purest  motives,  to  gentlemen 
whose  stations  in  life  entitle  them  to  respect,  however  they 
may  differ  in  political  sentiments  from  those  in  whose  power 
they  are." 

The  party  was  conducted  on  the  way  homeward  to  Lancas- 
ter, Pennsylvania,  from  which  place  it  was  requisite  that  a 
special  permission  should  be  given  to  them  to  return  to  their 
homes  in  Philadelphia, — all  intercourse  with  that  city  being 
interdicted,  owing  to  its  being  in  possession  of  the  British 
forces.  General  Howe  having  taken  possession  of  it  soon  after 
the  Battle  of  Brandywine,  and  held  it  for  his  winter  quarters 
till  the  campaign  of  the  ensuing  year. 

For  the  purpose  of  interceding  in  behalf  of  the  Friends,  four 
of  the  female  relatives  of  the  company  had  left  their  homes  at 
Philadelphia  to  visit  General  Washington,  to  whom  they  had 


INTRODUCTION. 


45 


previously  addressed  a  memorial,  at  his  headquarters  at  Val- 
ley Forge,  where  he  treated  them  with  great  kindness. 

Letters  were  written  by  General  Washington  on  the  5th  and 
6th  April,  to  Thomas  Wharton,  junior,  President  of  the  Su- 
preme Executive  Council,  and  acting  Governor  of  the  State  of 
Pennsylvania,  for  the  desired  permission — fac  simile  copies  of 
which  letters  are  given  in  this  volume.  One  of  them  stated  as 
follows : 

"  You  will  judge  of  the  propriety  of  permitting  them  to  pro- 
ceed farther  than  Lancaster;  but  from  appearances  I  imagine 
their  request  may  be  safely  granted.  They  seem  much  dis- 
tressed.   Humanity  pleads  strongly  in  their  behalf." 

On  the  exiles  arriving  near  General  Washington's  head- 
quarters at  Valley  Forge,  they  addressed  him  a  letter  asking 
him  for  a  special  permission  to  pass  the  American  lines  into 
Philadelphia,  which  he  promptly  granted  to  their  messenger  by 
his  Secretary,  Tench  Tilghman,  Esquire ;  and  it  was  received 
and  esteemed  as  a  proof  of  his  sense  of  justice.  It  was  dated 
on  the  29th  April,  1778,  when  the  party  passed  the  American 
picket  guard,  whence  Colonel  Livingston  permitted  them  to 
go  on  to  their  homes  in  Philadelphia. 

During  the  further  four  or  five  years'  continuance  of  the 
war,  the  exiles  who  were  left  of  the  company  returned  to  their 
homes,  and  resided  in  the  city  of  Philadelphia,  then  in  posses- 
sion of  the  British  forces,  till  evacuated  on  the  17th  June,  1778, 
when  it  was  relinquished  to  the  Americans, — the  two  armies 
having  been  alternately  occupying  and  surrounding  it  for  nearly 
a  year. 

During  these  changes,  the  Friends  who  had  returned  from 
banishment  enjoyed  unimpaired  the  confidence  of  their  fellow- 
citizens — no  political  conduct  being  imputed  to  them  ;  and  on 
the  organization  of  the  General  Government,  they  were  en- 
gaged as  before  to  sustain  institutions  of  public  utility,  some 
of  them  to  hold  offices  of  trust  and  honour,  and  to  serve  in  the 
Legislature  of  the  State. 


46 


INTRODUCTION. 


REFLECTIONS  ON  THE  CONDUCT  OF  THE  SOCIETY  OF  FRIENDS 
RELATIVELY  TO  THE  AMERICAN  REVOLUTION. 

The  preceding  narrative  renders  it  necessary  to  review  the 
general  conduct  of  the  Society  of  Friends,  and  particularly  so, 
in  regard  to  the  American  Revolution ;  because  as  a  religious 
and  deliberative  people,  adverse  to  war,  they  withdrew  from 
taking  any  part  in  the  measures  of  the  government,  on  the  ap- 
proach of  a  political  contest  in  which  they  could  not  unite. 

The  Colonial  Government  of  Pennsylvania  had  its  origin 
with  the  emigration  of  the  Friends  from  England  ;  it  had  been 
formed  and  conducted  very  much  according  to  their  own 
views,  and  they  enjoyed  under  it  for  a  long  period  great  re- 
spect, and  shared  in  common  with  others,  great  prosperity  and 
peace. 

But  at  several  times  they  had  been  aware  of  the  unconstitu- 
tional attempts  of  Great  Britain  to  tax  the  Colonies,  and  to 
control  trade  as  well  as  to  pass  the  Stamp  Act ;  all  of  which 
had  taken  place  in  Parliament  without  any  representation  from 
the  Colonies  in  regard  to  their  legality,  expediency,  or  effect. 

On  these  laws  reaching  America  they  were  found  to  be  in- 
fringements of  the  colonial  rights,  and  of  the  common  rights 
of  subjects  of  the  realm,  and  they  were  highly  offensive  to  the 
people.  The  Friends,  therefore,  with  others,  joined  in  making 
remonstrances  against  them,  and  they  succeeded  in  obtaining 
their  repeal  by  measures  consistent  with  their  principles. 

It  was  then  thought  proper  by  the  people  of  Pennsylvania, 
residing  in  and  near  Philadelphia,  who  were  affected  by  these 
encroachments  of  Great  Britain  upon  the  rights  of  the  Colonies, 
to  join  the  citizens  in  a  non-importation  agreement,  to  prevent 
goods  from  being  imported  from  England  until  the  offensive 
acts  were  repealed.  To  that  instrument,  dated  25th  October, 
1765,  the  signatures  of  more  than  fifty  members  of  the  Society 
were  placed,  nine  of  which  were  of  the  Friends  who  were 
banished. 


INTRODUCTION. 


47 


But  there  were  several  other  measures  taken  by  the  Friends 
in  favour  of  the  principles  of  liberty  to  which  they  believed  the 
American  Colonies  to  be  entitled.  Among  these  it  appears  in 
Smith's  History  of  New  Jersey,  "  That  no  sooner  were  the 
Quakers  settled  in  New  Jersey,  than  an  attempt  was  made  by 
the  Duke  of  York,  who  claimed  the  sovereignty  there,  to  lax 
them,  and  this  produced  much  discontent.  Finally,  about  the 
year  1679,  they  made  a  manly  intrepid  remonstrance  against 
the  injustice  of  taxation  without  representation,  stating  that  it  is 
a  fundamental  law  of  the  British  constitution,  that  the  King  of 
England  cannot  take  his  subjects'  goods  without  their  consent; 
and  they  used  nearly  all  the  arguments  which  nearly  one  hun- 
dred years  afterwards  were  deemed  unanswerable."  This  tax 
was  abated  subsequently,  and  thus  the  first  successful  resistance 
to  the  conduct  of  the  British  government  was  made  by  the 
Friends,  and  it  was  in  fact  the  first  n)ovement  in  the  cause  of 
American  independence. 

At  the  commencement  of  the  Revolution,  in  common  with 
other  citizens,  the  Friends  hoped  that  as  the  Stamp  Act  had 
been  repealed  in  consequence  of  the  remonstrances  of  America 
to  the  government  of  England,  and  some  of  the  other  measures 
revoked,  the  ministry  would  be  eventually  compelled  to  yield 
to  ihe  representations  of  some  of  her  ablest  politicians  who  in- 
terceded so  warmly  in  favour  of  the  rights  of  the  Colonies,  as 
the  Earl  of  Chatham,  Lord  Camden, Edmund  Burke,  the  Duke  of 
Richmond,  Colonel  Barre,  and  others,  and  that  the  immense 
importance  of  preserving  the  allegiance  of  this  part  of  the  em- 
pire by  keeping  its  interests  united  to  her  own  would  be  made 
clearly  manifest. 

The  repugnance  of  the  Society  of  Friends  to  the  hostile  pro- 
gress of  the  Revolution  arose  from  their  principles,  and  from 
their  feelings  of  humanity,  independently  of  any  anticipation  of 
its  progress  or  result.  They  never  had  taken  part  in  any 
national  strife,  and  it  would  have  been  inconsistent  for  them  to 
have  entered  with  zeal  as  partisans  where  all  other  active 


48 


INTRODUCTION. 


measures  were  incompatible  with  their  religious  principles. 
Having  no  ambitious  or  political  expectancies,  they  only  viewed 
the  contest  with  anxiety,  under  a  sincere  hope  that  the  hostile 
parties  would  seek  the  reconciliation  which  their  mutual  in- 
terests dictated. 

This  reluctance  to  war  formed  a  peculiar  characteristic  of 
the  Friends ;  but  it  was  also  justly  applicable  to  many  con- 
siderate Americans  in  power,  and  even  in  the  army :  and  the 
following  are  among  many  other  evidences  to  show  that  inde- 
pendently of  the  pacific  principle,  the  confidence  of  the  people 
and  even  of  some  of  the  States  was  more  fully  placed  upon  an 
amicable  settlement  of  the  differences  than  upon  the  prosecution 
of  the  war. 

As  the  party  of  Friends  who  were  returned  from  banish- 
ment passed  homeward  through  York,  Pennsylvania,  on  the 
24th  of  April,  1778,  they  had  a  friendly  conference  with  Gene- 
ral Gates,  who  stated  to  them  that  resolutions  had  passed  the 
British  Parliament,  proposing  to  repeal  the  several  acts  oppres- 
sive to  America,  and  to  appoint  Commissioners  to  treat  with 
the  Americans,  in  order  to  settle  the  unhappy  contest;  with 
•which  resolutions  he  said  he  was  much  pleased,  and  thought 
that  Great  Britain  had  agreed  to  all  the  Americans  had  asked 
or  contended  for. 

When  the  Representatives  were  appointed  by  the  Colonies 
to  form  the  first  Congress,  and  met  at  Philadelphia,  the  5th 
September,  1774,  to  consult  upon  measures  expedient  to  be 
pursued,  they  proceeded  only  so  far  as  to  petition  the  King  for 
a  redress  of  grievances  inflicted  upon  their  colonial  rights,  by 
the  several  acts  of  Parliament  relatively  to  the  Tea  Tax — to 
the  act  shutting  up  the  port  of  Boston,  and  other  similar  mea- 
sures, and  then  they  dissolved  on  26th  October.  They  had 
recommended  the  appointment  of  another  Congress,  which  was 
chosen  afterwards,  and  met  at  Philadelphia,  10th  May,  1775, 
and  continued  its  sessions. 

But  these  bodies,  constantly  relying  on  the  adjustment  of  the 
differences,  never  expressed  a  desire  to  create  an  independent 


INTRODUCTION. 


49 


government  in  the  country  notwithstanding  the  acts  of  warfare 
which  had  been  committed  by  the  British  forces  at  the  Battle 
of  Lexington,  on  the  19th  April,  and  Bunker's  Hill,  on  the  17th 
June,  1775,  and  declarations  of  allegiance  continued  to  be  ex- 
pressed in  all  their  resolutions. 

On  the  6th  July,  the  language  of  Congress  was  as  follows  : 
"  Lest  this  declaration  should  disquiet  the  minds  of  our 
friends  and  fellow-subjects  in  any  part  of  the  empire,  we  assure 
them  that  we  mean  not  to  dissolve  that  union  which  has  been 
so  long  and  so  happily  existing  between  us,  and  which  we  sin- 
cerely wish  to  see  restored." 

There  had  been  no  representation  sent  from  the  Colony  of 
Georgia  to  the  first  Congress  appointed  by  the  States  to  meet 
at  Philadelphia  on  the  5th  September,  1774,  and  that  Colony 
did  not  send  one  to  the  second  Congress,  which  met  there  on 
the  10th  of  May,  1775,  until  the  15th  July. 

The  Declaration  of  Independence  was  under  preparation  in 
Congress  for  a  considerable  time;  and  though  finally  passed  on 
the  4th  of  July,  1776,  had  been  debated  and  deferred  from  the 
important  consequences  to  result  from  its  passage. 

It  had  been  referred  to  the  decision  of  Congress  from  several 
of  the  states,  but  on  its  being  moved  there,  on  the  7th  June, 
1776,  by  Richard  Henry  Lee,  and  seconded  by  John  Adams, 
it  was  agreed  in  Congress,  that  neither  the  name  of  the  mover 
or  seconder  should  be  entered  on  the  journal,  and  a  committee 
of  five  members  was  appointed  to  draw  up  a  Declaration  of 
Independence,  in  case  Congress  should  agree  thereto. 

After  the  act  had  passed  Congress,  4th  July,  1776,  it  became 
necessary  that  the  new  measures  attending  it  should  make  their 
way  into  the  minds  of  the  people,  many  of  whom,  though  to 
be  relied  upon  to  sustain  the  rights  of  the  country,  would 
naturally  have  fell  a  caution  in  regard  to  its  immediate  effect 
and  relatively  to  the  time  at  which  the  people  should  be  pre- 
pared to  receive  it. 

The  colony  of  New  Jersey  had  no  constitution  nor  charter 

4 


50 


INTRODUCTION. 


under  its  allegiance  to  the  British  government,  but  it  was 
thought  proper  to  make  one  about  this  time.  This  was  under 
discussion  by  the  representatives  at  Trenton  during  the  time 
that  Congress  was  debating  upon  the  Declaration  of  Indepen- 
dence at  Philadelphia,  and  when  the  Constitution  of  New 
Jersey  was  adopted  and  signed  there  on  the  2d  of  July,  1776, 
only  two  days  before  the  Declaration  of  Independence,  there 
was  inserted  in  it  this  remarkable  condition  : — 

"  Provided  always  that  it  is  the  true  intent  and  meaning  of 
this  Congress,  that  if  a  reconciliation  between  Great  Britain 
and  these  Colonies  should  take  place,  and  the  latter  be  again 
taken  under  the  government  and  protection  of  Great  Britain, 
this  Charter  shall  be  null  and  void,  otherwise  to  remain,  firm 
and  inviolable." 

If,  therefore,  a  diversity  of  views  were  entei'tained  among 
several  of  the  states  and  governments,  under  a  hope  of  a  set- 
tlement of  the  difficulties,  a  cautious  line  of  conduct  should  not 
have  been  considered  censurable  on  the  part  of  individuals. 

The  Friends  especially,  believing  all  warlike  measures  to  be 
antichristian,  had  never  obeyed  the  injunctions  of  any  govern- 
ment when  they  led  to  them.  In  this  respect  they  differed  from 
other  members  of  the  community,  who  were  willing  to  seek 
redress  for  national  or  personal  injuries,  by  force  or  retaliation. 
On  the  other  hand  they  never  sought  to  attain  their  object  by 
flattery,  or  by  adulation  to  persons  in  power,  as  kings  or  rulers, 
for  they  prized  too  highly  the  rights  of  the  people,  and  the 
duties  owing  by  the  rulers  to  their  fellow-citizens,  who  were 
placed  under  their  care  not  for  subjection  but^r  protection. 

And  while  they  felt  themselves  bound  to  treat  kings  and 
rulers  with  respect,  they  had  frequently  remonstrated,  both  in 
person  and  by  letters,  in  very  plain  terms,  to  several  of  them, 

 to  Oliver  Cromwell,  to  King  Charles  II.,  to  King  James  II., 

and  others,  upon  their  private  and  public  conduct,  when  it  was 
adverse  to  the  liberty  and  interest  of  their  country.  And  cer- 
tainly, under  the  impending  difficulties  between  America  and 
England,  caused  by  circumstances  so  justly  to  be  complained 


INTRODUCTION. 


51 


of,  they  could  never  have  promoted  such  an  address  as  was 
sent  by  Congress  to  the  king  immediately  after  the  hostile  acts 
with  which  the  war  had  been  commenced.  Had  they  done 
this,  they  would  have  been  amenable  to  a  charge  of  flattery 
and  insincerity,  to  which  no  part  of  their  conduct  had  ever 
approached. 

This  address  of  the  Congress  of  the  United  States  of  America 
to  King  George  the  Third,  dated  on  the  8th  of  July,  1775,  con- 
tains as  follows : 

"  Attached  as  we  are  to  your  Majesty's  person  and  govern- 
ment, with  all  the  devotion  which  principle  and  affection  can 
inspire,  connected  with  Great  Britain  by  the  strongest  ties  that 
can  unite  societies,  and  deploring  any  event  which  tends  in  any 
degree  to  weaken  them,  we  do  solemnly  assure  your  Majesty 
that  we  do  not  only  desire  that  the  former  happiness  between 
her  and  these  Colonies  may  be  restored,  but  that  such  a  concord 
may  be  established  between  us  as  to  perpetuate  its  blessings, 
and  to  transmit  your  Majesty's  name  to  posterity  adorned  with 
that  signal  and  lasting  glory,  which  has  attended  the  memory 
of  those  illustrious  personages  whose  virtues  and  abilities  have 
extricated  states  from  dangerous  convulsions,  and  by  securing 
happiness  to  others,  have  erected  the  most  noble  and  durable 
monuments  to  their  own  fame." 

This  flattering  address  to  the  king  was  a  descent  from  the 
high  standing  theretofore  assumed  by  the  Congress  of  the 
nation.  It  was  an  attempt  at  policy,  in  appealing  to  the  con- 
sideration of  the  king  in  whom  they  had  no  confidence,  because 
they  knew  that  ever  since  the  treaty  with  France  in  1763, 
when  England  obtained  possession  of  the  Canadas,  and  of 
America  generally,  the  government  had  begun  the  oppressive 
measures  of  Colonial  taxation,  which  were  always  attributed  to 
the  king  and  his  ministry. 

It  was  sent  at  the  time  the  Colonists  were  suffering  under  a 
violation  of  their  most  important  rights  by  an  army  occupying 
their  country  to  compel  their  surrender,  and  also  after  the  war 
commenced,  in  the  spring  and  summer  of  that  year,  at  the 
battles  of  Lexington  and  Bunker's  Hill ;  which  with  other 


52 


INTRODUCTION. 


aggressions  they  soon  after  embodied  in  the  Declaration  of 
Independence,  in  which  they  declared  him,  "  a  prince  whose 
character  is  thus  marked  with  every  act  which  may  define  a 
tyrant,  is  unfit  to  be  a  ruler  of  a  free  people." 

The  Society  of  Friends,  on  the  contrary,  had  persevered  in 
a  course  to  obtain  the  important  objects  of  their  civil  and  re- 
ligious rights,  by  measures  devoid  both  of  flattery  or  offence  ; 
they  had  never  made  to  the  officers  of  government  in  England 
or  America  such  expressions  of"  devotion  or  attachment,"  nor 
did  they  go  beyond  those  professions  of  just  and  independent 
respect  due  to  persons  placed  in  power  for  the  preservation  of 
society. 

Their  addresses  were  made  plainly  to  "  The  King"  as  holding 
that  position  in  the  government  of  their  country ;  they  were 
free  from  any  of  the  appellatives  of  dignity,  or  any  of  the  com- 
plimentary forms  of  servility,  and  on  the  occasions  when  they 
sought  redress  from  the  Parliament  in  regard  to  the  religious 
rights  due  to  them  as  subjects,  or  for  their  civil  or  colonial 
rights,  it  was  by  an  intrepid  and  manly  maintenance  of  their 
privileges,  until  that  body  became  convinced  of  the  justice  of 
their  demand. 

On  the  4th  day  of  October,  1777,  while  the  Friends  re- 
mained in  banishment  in  Virginia,  a  committee  of  six,  which 
had  been  appointed  by  the  Yearly  Meeting  of  Friends  of  Penn- 
sylvania, visited  the  generals  of  both  the  contending  armies,  in 
order  to  explain  to  them  the  independent  and  impartial  course 
their  peaceable  principles  had  required  them  to  pursue. 

These  visits  were  made  to  General  Howe  and  to  General 
Washington,  who  received  them  very  courteously  at  their  re- 
spective headquarters.  In  these  interviews  they  gave  such 
explanations  of  the  principles,  and  of  the  conduct  of  the  Society, 
as  were  satisfactory,  and  removed  from  the  minds  of  General 
Washington  and  his  officers,  who  were  assembled  at  camp,  all 
impression  of  their  having  been  concerned  in  the  Spanktown 
memorial,  or  in  any  political  interference  which  had  been  im- 
puted to  them,  and  published  by  order  of  Congress ;  and  they 


INTRODUCTION. 


53 


refuted  other  misrepresentations  which  had  found  their  way 
into  the  public  prints,  and  had  caused  prejudices  against  them, 
071  irhich  the.  measures  of  Congress  and  of  the  Supreme  Execu- 
tive Council  had  been  founded. 

On  the  conference  being  ended,  a  full  confidence  in  the  im- 
partiality of  the  conduct  of  the  Friends  was  expressed  by  each 
of  the  generals,  and  the  committee  was  permitted  to  pass  their 
respective  military  lines  to  return  into  the  city  of  Philadelphia, 
then  in  possession  of  the  British  forces. 

It  is  true  that  the  Society  had  issued  its  advice  to  its  mem- 
bers, to  be  faithful  to  their  peaceable  principles,  and  to  keep 
out  of  all  warlike  measures ;  and  this  advice,  consistent  with 
the  uniform  conduct  of  the  Society,  was  intended  to  repress 
any  desire  any  of  their  members  had  to  engage  in  the  contest 
on  either  side.  It  had  been  urged  impartially,  and  could  have 
afforded  no  just  ground  of  complaint  against  the  Society  from 
one  of  the  contending  parties  more  than  from  the  other. 

It  is  quite  probable  that  the  Society  of  Friends,  under  the 
kind  course  of  treatment  they  were  entitled  to  receive,  and 
such  as  was  extended  to  other  respectable  members  of  the 
community  by  the  persons  in  power,  would  have  manifested 
the  same  impressions  as  other  citizens,  regarding  the  indepen- 
dence of  the  country,  and  its  responsibilities  to  itself,  and  not  to 
a  foreign  land.  But  there  had  been  a  strong  party  prejudice 
created  against  them,  arising  from  an  idea  of  their  being  people 
of  influence — from  their  former  position  in  the  government,  as 
well  as  from  the  reserved  and  cautious  conduct  incident  to 
their  principles. 

For  in  the  tumult  of  the  times  the  ardour  of  the  revolution- 
ary enthusiasm  was  opposed  to  deliberate  reflection,  and  an 
idea  prevailed  that  "  he  that  is  not  for  us  is  against  us,"  in- 
stead of  the  more  kind  one,  that  "  he  that  is  not  against  us  is 
for  us ;"  and  reason  and  reflection  being  too  slow  for  popular 
feeling,  the  conservative  views  of  the  Society  were  neither 
consulted  nor  appreciated. 

The  liberal  and  independent  principles  of  the  Friends,  with 


54  INTRODUCTION. 

their  influence  and  judgment,  would  have  answered  many  valu- 
able purposes  to  the  country,  because  they  were  much  re- 
spected, and  no  persons  had  ever  been  more  firm  and  consis- 
tent in  sustaining  the  rights  of  the  people. 

In  addition  to  the  cases  already  stated,  this  appears  in  the 
published  volumes  of  the  votes  and  proceedings  of  the  Colonial 
Assembly  of  Pennsylvania,  where  the  votes  of  the  Friends  who 
were  members  of  that  body  are  always  to  be  found  on  the 
popular  or  liberal  side.  In  the  year  1742,  when  the  election 
of  members  of  Assembly  was  contested,  the  chief  opposition 
was  made  by  the  members  of  the  Society  of  Friends  to  the 
patronage,  both  of  the  Crown  and  the  Proprietary.* 

It  was  by  the  vigilance  of  this  Society  in  Pennsylvania,  and 
its  interest  with  Friends  in  England,  that  Edmund  Burke  was 
returned  to  Parliament  from  the  city  of  Bristol.  As  an  advo- 
cate of  the  American  cause,  his  celebrated  speeches  denounced 
the  ministerial  measures  pursued  in  Massachusetts,  which  had 
caused  the  convention  of  the  first  Congress,  and  brought  on 
the  Revolutionary  War. 

The  correspondence  of  the  Friends  in  England  with  their 
friends  in  America  shows  the  deep  interest  they  took  in  pre- 
venting the  hostile  measures  of  the  ministry,  and  towards  pro- 
ducing a  reconciliation.  Dr.  John  Fothergill  and  David  Bar- 
clay were  among  those  who  were  particularly  active,  being 
entitled  to  make  this  interference  as  men  of  weight  of  character 
and  great  popularity.  They  assisted  Dr.  Franklin  in  England, 
and  gave  their  opinion  to  the  ministry  firmly  in  favour  of  the 
rights  of  the  Colonies,  and  of  their  claims  made  for  redress. 

It  is  true  that  the  affinities  of  commercial  and  friendly 
intercourse  which  existed  so  largely  between  England  and 
America,  created  relations  which  had  been  for  a  long  time 
conducted  to  mutual  advantage,  and  "  which  when  long 
established  should  not  be  changed  for  light  and  transient 
causes;"  but  as  it  has  been  stated,  when  the  non-importation 
agreement  of  25th  October,  1765,  appeared  necessary  to  pro- 

*  See  the  votes  of  Pennsylvania  Assembly,  appended  to  vol.  iii. 


INTRODUCTION. 


55 


duce  a  just  and  proper  effect  upon  the  government  of  England, 
it  was  united  in  by  the  Friends  as  generally  as  by  others. 

The  justice  and  moderation  with  which  the  Colonial  govern- 
ment of  Pennsylvania  had  been  conducted,  showed  the  Friends 
to  be  philosophers  in  politics  as  well  as  in  religion,  and  pro- 
duced its  good  effect  upon  the  principles  and  habits  of  the 
colonists.  This,  together  with  their  just  and  amicable  care  of 
the  Indian  natives,  became  well  known  in  Europe,  and  raised 
very  highly  the  character  of  the  province. 

The  connexion  America  had  formed  with  France  in  order 
to  aid  the  country  through  the  war  of  the  Revolution,  caused 
many  military  officers,  statesmen,  and  gentlemen  of  high 
standing  from  the  continent  of  Europe,  to  be  some  time  in  this 
country.  They  became  domesticated  here ;  they  had  an  ac- 
quaintance with  a  number  of  the  Friends,  and  were  much 
pleased  with  the  intercourse  they  enjoyed  among  them. 

It  was,  however,  more  particularly  in  the  State  of  Penn- 
sylvania, that  these  gentlemen  were  made  sensible  of  the  plain 
republican  habits  of  domestic  life,  with  the  principles  of 
government,  and  with  the  charitable  establishments  founded  by 
private  benevolence,  and  conducted  without  patronage,  on  a 
system  of  such  general  usefulness  and  order,  as  to  exceed  their 
highest  expectations. 

The  progress  of  mankind  in  moral  and  social  science  is 
confessedly  slow  :  it  has  been  subject  to  the  imperfections  of 
human  nature ;  and  the  peaceful  and  benignant  principles  of 
Christianity  are  liable  to  many  interruptions  from  the  agitations 
and  conflicts  of  society. 

Whether  or  not  the  practice  of  the  principles  advocated  by 
the  Society  of  Friends  may  continue  to  be  maintained  by  them- 
selves or  by  others,  or  are  only  to  be  handed  down  as  the  history 
of  a  past  apostolic  era,  which  had  shed  the  promise  of  a  better 
dispensation  to  the  New  World, — a  future  time  will  determine. 
The  evidence  and  experience  of  these  are  now  before  us,  in 
our  recollections  and  traditions ;  the  recorded  volumes  and  tes- 
timonies of  this  age  are  extant,  and  though  they  may  be  left  in 


56 


INTRODUCTION. 


obscurity,  contain  a  code  of  self-evident  truths,  the  exposition 
of  which  has  gone  imperceptibly  into  society ; — these  truths 
have  formed  the  basis  of  our  social  system — of  our  daily  inter- 
course, and  justify  the  integrity  and  simplicity  of  its  character. 

We  see  these  principles  in  the  institutions  for  which  the 
State  of  Pennsylvania  has  been  distinguished,  for  they  were 
brought  here  with  the  Colonists.  The  toleration  of  religious 
liberty  joined  to  the  glory  of  forming  an  equal  government  for 
civil  and  religious  rights,  without  discrimination  of  sects  or  pro- 
fessions, have  their  birthplace  in  Pennsylvania.  The  friendly 
care  of  the  Indian  natives, — of  the  poor, — the  diseased, — and 
the  aged, — the  practice  of  temperance  as  a  requisite  to  religious 
society, — the  system  for  the  employment  and  reformation  of 
criminals, — of  societies  to  do  away  with  the  injustice  of  slavery, 
and  for  the  discouragement  of  war, — originating  here,  have  been 
extended  through  the  land,  and  are  now  becoming  imitated 
through  Europe.  These  are  peculiarly  due  to  the  Society  of 
Friends,  which  engrafted  them  into  its  discipline  for  the 
government  of  its  members,  for  their  intercourse  with  others, 
and  which  has  persevered  to  bring  them  into  adoption  for  the 
benefit  of  the  community. 


INTRODUCTION. 


57 


MEETING  OF  THE  YEARLY  MEETING  OP  FRIENDS  AT 
PHILADELPHIA. 

Minutes  of  Philadelphia  Yearly  Meeting,  1777,  3d  of  10th 
month.  Afternoon. 

James  Thornton,  on  behalf  of  the  Committee  on  Epistles, 
&c.,  reports — 

That  a  weighty  consideration  hath  been  before  them,  re- 
specting some  Friends  going,  by  appointment  of  this  meeting, 
on  a  visit  to  William  Howe,  General  of  the  British  Army,  and 
to  George  Washington,  General  of  the  American  Army,  and 
to  take  with  them  the  testimony  yesterday  approved  by  this 
meeting ;  in  which  visits  or  opportunities  they  are  to  endeavour 
to  lay  before  said  generals,  or  any  of  their  otficers,  or  other 
people,  the  reason  of  publishing  that  testimony ;  and  also,  fur- 
ther to  remonstrate  on  the  behalf  of  our  banished  Friends,  or 
proceed  in  other  respects  on  behalf  of  truth  and  our  religious 
society,  as  best  wisdom  may  dictate  and  make  way  for  them. 

The  subject  being  now  weightily  attended  to,  and  the  senti- 
ments of  many  Friends  expressed  in  approbation  of  such  a  con- 
cern and  visit,  the  meeting  nominates  and  approves  for  this 
purpose,  William  Brown,  James  Thornton,  Nicholas  Wain, 
Warner  Mifflin,  Joshua  Morris,  and  Samuel  Emlen,  who  are 
to  make  report  to  the  Meeting  for  Sufferings,  when  they  have 
performed  the  service. 

A  Testimony  given  forth  from  our  Yearly  Meeting,  held  at 
Philadelphia,  for  Pennsylvania  and  New  Jersey,  by  adjourn- 
ments, from  the  29th  day  of  the  9th  month  to  the  4th  of  the 
lOlh  month,  inclusive,  1777. 

A  number  of  our  friends  having  been  imprisoned  and  ban- 
ished, unheard,  from  their  families,  under  a  charge  and  insinu- 
ation that  "  they  have  in  their  general  conduct  and  conversation 


58 


INTRODUCTION. 


evidenced  a  disposition  inimical  to  the  cause  of  America;" 
and  from  some  publications,  intimating  "  that  there  is  strong 
reason  to  apprehend  that  these  persons  maintain  a  correspon- 
dence highly  prejudicial  to  the  public  safety,"  there  may  be 
induced  a  belief  that  we  have  in  our  conduct  departed  from 
the  peaceable  principles  which  we  profess ;  and  apprehending 
that  the  minds  of  some  may  thereby  be  misled,  for  the  clearing 
up  of  truth,  we  think  it  necessary  publicly  to  declare,  that  we 
are  led  out  of  all  wars  and  fightings  by  the  principle  of  grace 
and  truth  in  our  own  minds,  by  which  we  are  restrained,  either 
as  private  members  of  society,  or  in  any  of  our  meetings,  from 
holding  a  correspondence  with  either  army;  but  are  concerned 
to  spread  the  testimony  of  truth  and  the  peaceable  doctrines  of 
Christ,  to  seek  the  good  of  all,  to  keep  a  conscience  void  of 
offence  towards  God  and  man,  to  promote  the  kingdom  of  the 
Messiah,  which  we  pray  may  come,  and  be  experienced  in  in- 
dividuals, in  kingdoms,  and  nations,  that  they  may  "  beat  their 
swords  into  ploughshares,  and  their  spears  into  pruning-hooks, 
and  nation  not  lift  up  sword  against  nation,  neither  learn  war 
any  more."  (Isaiah,  ii.  4.)  And  we  deny,  in  general  terms,  all 
charges  and  insinuations  which  in  any  degree  clash  with  this 
our  profession. 

As  to  a  nameless  paper  lately  published,  said  to  be  dated  at 
Spanktown  Yearly  Meeting,  and  found  among  the  baggage  on 
Staten  Island,  every  person  who  is  acquainted  with  our  style, 
may  be  convinced  it  was  never  written  by  any  of  our  meet- 
ings, or  by  any  of  our  friends.  Besides,  there  is  no  meeting 
throughout  our  whole  Society  of  that  name,  nor  was  that  letter, 
or  any  one  like  it,  ever  written  in  any  of  our  meetings  since 
we  were  a  people.  We  therefore  solemnly  deny  the  said  letter, 
and  wish  that  those  who  have  assumed  a  fictitious  character 
to  write  under,  whether  with  a  view  to  injure  us  or  cover 
themselves,  might  find  it  their  place  to  clear  us  of  this  charge, 
by  stating  the  truth. 

As  from  the  knowledge  we  have  of  our  banished  friends. 


INTRODUCTION. 


59 


and  the  best  information  we  have  been  able  to  obtain,  we  are 
convinced  they  have  done  nothing  to  forfeit  their  just  right  to 
Hberty,  we  fervently  desire,  that  all  those  who  have  any  hand 
in  sending  them  into  banishment,  might  weightily  consider  the 
tendency  of  their  own  conduct,  and  how  contrary  it  is  to  the 
doctrines  and  example  of  our  Lord  and  Lawgiver,  Christ 
Jesus  ;  and  do  them  that  justice  which  their  case  requires,  by 
restoring  them  to  their  afflicted  families  and  friends ;  and  this, 
we  are  well  assured,  will  conduce  more  to  their  peace,  than 
keeping  them  in  exile. 

We  give  forth  this  admonition,  in  the  fear  of  God,  not  only 
with  a  view  to  the  relief  of  our  friends,  but  also  to  the  real  in- 
terest of  those  concerned  in  their  banishment. 

Having  been  favoured  to  meet  to  transact  the  affairs  of  our 
religious  society,  which  relate  to  the  promotion  of  the  cause  of 
truth  and  righteousness,  we  have  felt  a  renewed  concern  for 
the  good  and  happiness  of  mankind  in  general,  and  in  the  love 
of  the  Gospel,  have  issued  forth  this  testimony,  for  the  clearing 
ourselves  and  our  friends,  and  the  warning  of  those  who,  from 
groundless  suspicions  and  mistaken  notions  concerning  us,  may 
be  persuaded  to  seek  our  hurt,  to  the  wounding  of  their  own 
souls  and  the  loss  of  the  community. 

Signed  by  order  and  on  behalf  of  the  Yearly  Meeting. 

Isaac  Jackson, 

Clerk. 

From  the  Minutes  of  the  Yearly  Meeting  of  Friends,  held  in 
Philadelphia,  in  10th  month,  1778. 

REPORT. 

We,  the  committee  appointed  by  our  last  Yearly  Meeting, 
to  visit  the  generals  of  the  two  contending  armies,  on  the 
second  day  of  the  week  following  our  said  meeting,  proceeded 
to  General  Howe's  headquarters,  near  Germantown,  and  had 
a  seasonable  opportunity  of  a  conference  with  him,  and  deli- 


60 


INTRODUCTION. 


vered  him  one  of  the  testimonies  issued  by  the  Yearly  Meet- 
ing, and  then  proceeded  on  our  way  to  General  Washington's 
camp,  at  which  we  arrived  next  day,  without  meeting  with 
any  interruption ;  and  being  conducted  to  headquarters,  where 
the  principal  officers  were  assembled  in  council,  after  waiting 
some  time,  we  were  admitted  and  had  a  very  full  opportunity 
of  clearing  the  Society  from  some  aspersions  which  had  been 
invidiously  raised  against  them,  and  distributed  a  number  of 
the  testimonies  amongst  the  officers,  who  received  and  read 
them,  and  made  no  objections. 

We  were  much  favoured  and  mercifully  helped  with  the 
seasoning  virtue  of  truth,  and  the  presence  of  the  Master  was 
very  sensibly  felt,  who  made  way  for  us  beyond  expectation, 
it  being  a  critical  and  dangerous  season.  We  may  further  add, 
that  we  were  kindly  entertained  by  General  Washington  and 
his  officers ;  but,  lest  on  our  return  we  should  be  examined  as 
to  intelligence,  we  were  desired  to  go  to  Pottsgrove  for  a  few 
days,  within  which  time  such  alterations  might  take  place  as 
to  render  our  return  less  exceptionable  to  them ;  where  we 
were  accordingly  sent,  under  the  guard  or  care  of  a  single 
officer,  and  hospitably  entertained  by  Thomas  Rutter,  a  very 
kind  man,  and  others  of  our  friends. 

In  this  town  we  had  some  good  service  for  the  truth. 

Two  of  the  committee  were  discharged  on  sixth  day  after- 
noon, and  the  other  four  on  seventh  day,  having  been  detained 
between  three  and  four  days.  Two  of  the  Friends,  upon  com- 
ing within  the  English  lines,  then  near  Vanderin's  Mill,  were 
stopped  and  questioned  respecting  intelligence  about  the  Ame- 
ricans, which  they  declining  to  give,  they  were  sent,  under  a 
guard,  to  the  Hessian  colonel  who  commanded  at  that  post, 
and  he  proposed  several  questions  respecting  the  American 
army,  which  the  Friends  declining  to  answer,  he  grew  very 
angry,  rough,  and  uncivil,  using  some  harsh  reflecting  lan- 
guage, and  ordered  a  guard  to  conduct  them  to  the  Hessian 
General,  Knyphausen,  who  appeared  more  friendly.  But  he, 
not  understanding  the  English  language,  sent  them,  under  the 


INTRODUCTION. 


61 


conduct  of  a  lighthorseman  or  trooper,  to  General  Howe's 
headquarters  at  Germantown ;  but  upon  the  two  Friends  in- 
forming one  of  his  aide-de-camps  who  they  were,  they  were 
dismissed  without  being  farther  interrogated.  So  that  no  kind 
of  intelhgence  was  obtained  from  them,  nor  any  departure 
from  the  language  of  the  testimony  they  had  delivered. 

We  believe  the  Lord's  hand  was  in  it,  guarding  us  from  im- 
proper compliances,  and  bringing  us  through  this  weighty  ser- 
vice, though  it  was  a  time  of  close  humbling  baptism. 

As  to  the  charge  respecting  the  intelligence  said  to  have  been 
given  from  Spanktown  Yearly  Meeting,  we  believe  General 
Washington,  and  all  the  officers  then  present,  being  a  pretty 
many,  were  fully  satisfied  as  to  Friends'  clearness ;  and  we 
hope  and  believe,  through  the  Lord's  blessing,  the  opportunity 
we  had  was  useful  many  ways ;  there  having  been  great  open- 
ness and  many  observations  upon  various  subjects,  to  edifica- 
tion, and  tending  to  remove  and  clear  up  some  prejudices 
which  had  been  imbibed. 

Signed,  Samuel  Emlen, 

William  Brown, 
Joshua  Morris, 
James  Thornton, 
Warner  Mifflin, 
Nicholas  Waln. 

The  following  paper,  purporting  to  have  originated  from  the 
Society  of  Friends,  was  directed  by  Congress  to  be  published 
in  Philadelphia. 

Extract  of  a  letter  from  General  Sullivan  to  Congress,  dated  Hanover,  (near 
Newark,  New  Jersey,)  25  August,  1777. 

"  Among  baggage  taken  on  Staten  Island,  the  22d  instant,  I 
find  a  number  of  important  papers.  A  copy  of  three  I  enclose 
for  the  perusal  of  Congress.  The  one  of  the  Yearly  Meeting  of 


62 


INTRODUCTION. 


Spanktown,  held  the  19th  instant,  I  think  worthy  the  attention 
of  Congress. 

"No.  1.  Where  is  Washington?  what  number  of  men  or  cannon? 

2.  Where  is  Sterling  ?  what  number  of  men  or  cannon? 

3.  Where  is  Sullivan?  &c. 

4.  Where  is  Dayton  and  Ogden  ?  what  number? 

5.  Whether  there  be  any  troops  passing  or  repassing  ? 

6.  Intelligence  from  Albany. 

7.  Intelligence  from  Philadelphia. 

8.  Be  very  particular  about  time  and  place." 

"Information  from  Jersey,  19  August,  1777. 

"  It  is  said  General  Howe  landed  near  the  head  of  Chesa- 
peake Bay,  but  cannot  learn  the  particular  spot  or  when. 

"Washington  lays  in  Pennsylvania,  about  12  miles  from 
Coryell's  Ferry. 

"  Sullivan  lays  about  six  miles  north  of  Morristown,  with 
about  two  thousand  men. 

"  Spanktown  Yearly  Meeting." 

"  Intelligence  from  Jersey,  Sunday,  July  28,  1777. 

"  I  saw  on  their  full  march,  about  seven  miles  from  Morris- 
town,  on  the  road  to  Delaware,  General  Washington,  General 
Muhlenburg,  General  Weeden,  with  four  thousand  men,  and 
General  Knox  with  his  train  of  artillery,  consisting  of  fourteen 
field  pieces,  and  one  howitz,  seventy-nine  ammunition  wagons, 
and  one  hundred  and  thirty  baggage  wagons ;  and  then  pro- 
ceeding on  their  road  from  Hackettstown  to  Easton,  there  saw 
on  their  full  march  to  Delaware,  General  Stevens  and  General 
Scott,  with  four  thousand  men,  and  light  field  pieces,  and  on 
the  road  met  twenty-nine  flat-bottomed  boats,  and  proceeded 
down  to  Quibbletown,  where  I  saw  General  Sullivan  and 
General  Conway,  with  three  thousand  men  and  no  field  pieces. 

"  I  am  informed  that  General  Sullivan  has  crossed  the  North 


INTRODUCTION. 


63 


River,  and  is  bringing  up  the  rear.    As  to  the  truth  of  that  I 
hope  I  shall  be  able  to  inform  you  in  two  or  three  days." 
Received  August  31,  1777. 

Published  by  order  of  Congress. 

Charles  Thomson, 

Secretary. 

The  above  publication  may  be  found  at  the  Philadelphia 
Library  in  Folio  384,  Dunlap's  Pennsylvania  Packet,  No.  304, 
Philadelphia,  Tuesday,  9  September,  1777;  and  in  the  Supple- 
ment; and  also  in  the  Pennsylvania  Gazette,  No.  2533,  Phila- 
delphia, Wednesday,  10  September,  1777. 


^  ^  ////         /  ,^ 


—  c 


JOURNAL 

AND 

TRANSACTIONS  OF  THE  EXILES, 

CITIZENS  OF  PHILADELPHIA, 
SENT  TO  WINCHESTER,  VIRGINIA. 

From  2d  September,  1777,  to  30th  April,  1778. 

EXILE  OF  FRIENDS  FROM  PHILADELPHIA  TO  VIRGINIA. 

Philadelphia,  9th  month,  (September,)  1777. 

A  REPORT  had  for  some  weeks  prevailed  that  lists  of  a  great 
number  of  persons  were  made  out,  with  an  intent  shortly  to 
apprehend  and  confine  them  ;  but  for  what  cause  was  a  pro- 
found secret.  Several  who  had  the  confidence  of  some  of  the 
leading  men  had  seen  the  lists,  and  from  what  they  could  dis- 
cover in  conversation,  it  was  understood  that  four  or  five  hun- 
dred of  the  respectable  inhabitants  were  to  be  secured  and  sent 
out  of  the  city. 

A  number  of  persons  professing  great  attachment  to  the 
cause  of  liberty,  undertook  the  arduous  office  of  executing  the 
arbitrary  mandates  of  the  President  and  Council,  and  called  at 
our  houses,  demanding  of  most  of  us  to  sign  a  paper,  conceived 
in  the  following  terms. 

"  I,  do  promise  not  to  depart  from 

my  dwelling-house,  and  to  be  ready  to  appear  on  demand  of 
the  President  and  Council  of  the  State  of  Pennsylvania,  and  do 
engage  to  refrain  from  doing  any  thing  injurious  to  the  United 
States  of  North  America,  by  speaking,  writing,  or  otherwise, 
and  from  giving  intelligence  to  the  Commander  of  the  British 
forces,  or  any  person  whatever  concerning  public  affairs." 

Several  of  us,  on  seeing  the  paper  to  be  subscribed,  replied 

5 


66 


EXILES  FROM  PENNSYLVANIA 


that  except  going  out  of  our  houses  as  our  various  occasions 
of  business  had  required,  we  had  not  infringed  at  any  time 
upon  the  requisition  demanded ;  but  we  could  not  agree  to  give 
up  that  privilege ;  on  which  we  were  told  we  must  go  before  the 
President  and  Council. 

Some  of  us  were  taken  to  the  Masons'  Lodge  under  a 
promise  of  being  heard  by  the  Council,  who  was  said  to  be 
sitting  there;  but  this  was  found  to  be  a  deception,  as  they 
were  immediately  put  under  a  strong  guard  and  a  hearing 
■denied  them.  Some  were  brought  there  without  the  offer  of 
becoming  prisoners  in  their  own  houses,  but  the  greater  part 
■were  treated  in  the  following  manner,  with  some  inconsiderable 
variations. 

Upon  reading  the  paper,  we  demanded  to  know  upon  what 
authority  they  acted — and  were  answered,  Bi/  virtue  of  a  reso- 
lution of  Congress,  and  by  orders  of  Council.  We  demanded  to 
see  their  written  orders,  which  was  in  general  absolutely  refused. 
To  some  few,  who  were  more  pressing,  part  of  a  warrant  was 
read ;  but  not  one  of  us  was  suffered  to  read  or  copy  the  origi- 
nal. We  remonstrated  against  so  arbitrary  a  proceeding,  and 
endeavoured  to  convince  them  that  signing  such  a  paper  would 
be  an  acknowledgment  of  guilt,  and  would  subject  us  to  be  re- 
moved at  an  hour's  warning  without  knowing  the  charge 
against  us ;  and  after  laying  before  them  the  iniquity  of  the 
measure,  we  refused  to  become  voluntary  prisoners  for  sup- 
posed offences,  because  we  knew  ourselves  innocent  of  any. 

Some  of  the  persons  asserted  they  had  undertaken  the 
business  against  their  inclination,  to  prevent  it  being  executed 
by  military  officers,  who  would  have  used  more  rigour ;  but 
this  appeared  to  be  only  to  excuse  themselves  to  us.  They  re- 
fused us  a  reasonable  time  to  prepare  for  confinement,  and  in 
some  instances  brought  a  military  force  to  intimidate  us ;  they 
entered  the  houses  of  John  Hunt,  John  Pemberton,  Henry 
Drinker,  Edward  Pennington,  and  William  Smith,  (broker,) 
broke  their  desks,  searched  them,  and  carried  off  private  papers, 
and  some  printed  books,  under  colour  of  orders  for  that  pur- 
pose, which  they  would  not  show.    The  order  of  time  we 


SENT  TO  VIRGINIA. 


67 


were  apprehended  and  confined  in  the  Lodge,  by  persons 
appointed,  is  as  follows  : 

1777,  9th  month,  2d.— William  Druit  Smith,  Thomas  Af- 
fleck, Thomas  Gilpin,  William  Lenox,  Alexander  Stedman, 
Charles  Stedman,  Samuel  Rowland  Fisher,  William  Inlay, 
James  Pemberton,  Miers  Fisher,  Thomas  Fisher,  Thomas 
Wharton,  Edward  Pennington,  John  Pemberton,  Owen  Jones, 
Jr.,  Charles  Eddy,  Joseph  Fox,  Thomas  Combe,  Jr.,  William 
Smith,  (broker.) 

1777,  9th  month,  3d. — Henry  Drinker,  Charles  Jervis,  John 
Galloway,  William  Hollingshead,  E.  Ayres,  Phineas  Bond, 
Thomas  Pike. 

1777,  9th  month,  4th. — John  Hunt,  Israel  Pemberton,  Samuel 
Pleasants. 

The  above  three  were  first  called  on,  then  taken  by  a  par- 
ticular order  of  Council,  and  committed. — N.  B.  Two  of  the 
officers  were  active  in  breaking  the  desk  of  John  Hunt,  and 
searching  his  papers. 

9th  month,  5th — Elijah  Brown. 

9th  month,  2d,  continued. — The  guards  set  over  us  refused 
for  some  time  to  suffer  any  persons  to  come  to  us,  telling  us 
their  orders  were  to  admit  no  persons  whatever ;  towards 
evening,  however,  they  relaxed  from  this  strictness,  and  ad- 
mitted most  of  our  friends  who  applied.  About  ten  o'clock, 
being  supplied  with  bedding,  we  lay  down  and  slept  in  general 
very  well. 

9th  month,  3d. — After  breakfast  we  were  called  upon  by  a 
number  of  our  friends,  several  of  whom  were  refused  admit- 
tance. Some  of  us  conversing  through  the  windows,  were 
ordered  by  the  guards  to  desist,  and  one  of  them  presented  his 
gun,  cocked,  and  threatened  to  fire.  This  brought  on  a  con- 
ference with  Lewis  Nicola ;  after  which  our  friends  who 
applied,  were  admitted  to  a  considerable  number.  Ten  o'clock, 
Henry  Drinker,  and  Charles  Jervis,  were  added  to  our  society. 

Lewis  Nicola,  the  town  major,  having  informed  us  that  he 
had  not  the  command  of  the  guards,  or  any  thing  to  do  with 


68 


EXILES  FROM  PENNSYLVANIA 


our  confinement,  save  that  he  was  ordered  by  the  President 
and  Council  to  furnish  W'ilUam  Bradford  with  a  guard  for  the 
purpose,  which  he  had  accordingly  done,  but  had  nothing 
further  in  charge,  we  therefore,  this  morning  took  the  oppor- 
tunity as  Mr.  William  Bradford  passed  the  door  of  our  cham- 
ber, to  represent  to  him  the  misbehaviour  of  some  of  the  guard, 
who  we  apprehended  were  under  his  command,  when  he 
assured  us  that  he  had  nothing  to  do  with  them,  nor  would  he 
have  any  charge  over  us.  We  desired  to  know  of  him  by 
what  authority  we  were  confined,  upon  which  he  produced  a 
warrant  signed  by  George  Bryan,  Vice-President  of  the  Coun- 
cil, setting  forth  a  recommendation  of  Congress  to  take  up 
and  confine  a  number  of  persons  by  name,  and  all  others  who 
by  their  general  conduct  had  shown  themselves  to  be  inimical 
to  the  United  States,  &c.,  which  he  read  to  us.  We  acquainted 
him  that  we  desired  to  be  heard  in  our  defence,  and  demanded 
a  copy  of  the  warrant,  which  he  said  he  would  procure  for  us 
upon  our  offering  to  take  a  copy  and  return  him  the  original. 
He  repeated  his  promise,  saying  he  would  copy  it  himself,  and 
certify  it  to  be  a  true  copy. 

William  Bradford  was  here  again  about  one  o'clock,  and 
told  us  that  he  had  just  come  from  Council,  to  whom  he  repre- 
sented the  complaints  against  the  guards, — our  desire  of  a  copy 
of  the  warrant,  and  a  hearing.  They  informed  him  that  as  a 
number  of  persons  named  were  not  yet  taken,  it  would  be  im- 
proper now  to  give  a  copy ;  but  we  should  have  it  as  soon  as 
that  was  done.  That  they  would  give  Lewis  Nicola  written 
orders  relative  to  the  guard  ;  and  as  the  Council  was  in  con- 
ference with  some  members  of  Congress,  it  was  probable  we 
should  have  a  hearing. 

Between  three  and  four  o'clock,  Benjamin  Paschall,  accom- 
panied by  Edward  Middleton,  entered  our  chamber  and  ad- 
dressing himself  to  Wm.  Smith,  (broker,)  said,  "  I  am  come  as 
a  magistrate  of  this  city  to  know  what  you  are  confined  here 
for."  To  which  he  was  answered,  "  We  are  waiting  to  know 
that  ourselves.  We  were  sent  here  and  detained  by  a  military 
force,  in  opposition,  and  in  direct  violation  of  the  civil  autho- 


SENT  TO  VIRGINIA. 


69 


rity,  and  our  cause  is  the  cause  of  every  freeman  in  Pennsyl- 
vania. That  Lewis  Nicola,  town  major,  and  William  Brad- 
ford, colonel,  had  both  declared  they  had  no  charge  to  keep 
us  in  confinement."  "  Who,  then,  does  confine  you  ?"  We  an- 
swered, "We  know  not,  nor  on  what  account  we  are  confined, 
but  are  told  it  is  in  pursuance  of  a  recommendation  of  Congress 
and  a  resolve  of  the  Council,  signed  by  George  Bryan,  Vice- 
President — the  President  himself  having  denied  he  had  any 
thing  to  do  with  it."  He  then  asked  if  we  had  had  a  hearing, 
to  which  he  was  answered,  "  No !"  He  then  said  if  we  did 
not  know  what  we  were  confined  for  it  was  his  business,  as  a 
magistrate,  to  see  and  inquire  about  it.  Between  four  and  five 
o'clock,  Benjamin  Paschall  and  Edward  Middleton  returned, 
and  informed  us  they  had  been  to  seek  some  of  tlie  great  men, 
but  could  find  none  but  Vice-President  Bryan,  who  told  them 
we  were  to  be  sent  to  Virginia,  without  a  hearing !  At  this 
extraordinary  message  we  were  astounded,  and  expressed,  in 
proper  terms,  our  sentiments  upon  so  unheard  of  a  stretch  of 
arbitrary  power.  Benjamin  Paschall  and  his  companion  seemed 
shocked  at  the  idea,  and  after  a  discourse  of  some  length,  they 
concluded  it  was  a  case  of  so  alarming  a  nature,  that  the 
citizens  should  interest  themselves  in  it.  He  said  he  would 
confer  with  his  brethren  of  the  Bench,  and  do  every  thing  in 
his  power  to  avert  a  blow  so  fatal  to  the  liberties  of  Pennsyl- 
vania. Edward  Middleton  said  to  one  of  the  company  upon 
leaving  the  room,  "  You  shall  not  go  yet;"  and  so  they  left  us. 

At  eight  o'clock,  Phineas  Bond  was  brought  by  Lewis 
Nicola  into  the  room  as  a  prisoner.  He  informed  us  he  had 
been  induced  to  accept  of  the  parole,  when  oflfered  to  him,  but 
for  reasons  which  he  gave  us,  he  had  surrendered  it,  and  volun- 
tarily accepted  of  a  place  of  confinement  with  us.  Thomas 
Pike,  who  had  also  given  his  parole  and  surrendered  to  us,  was 
also  added  to  our  number. 

Philadelphia,  4th  of  9th  month,  1777. 

This  morning,  taking  our  situation  into  consideration,  we 
thought  it  expedient  to  urge  William  Bradford  to  furnish  us 


70 


EXILES  FROM  PENNSYLVANIA 


with  a  copy  of  the  warrant  against  us  ;  and  the  following  letter 
was  read,  approved,  and  signed,  and  Samuel  Coates  and 
Thomas  Eddy  undertook  to  deliver  it. 

Masons'  Lodge,  4th  of  9th  month,  1777. 

Frienb  William  Bradford, — 

When  men  are  deprived  of  their  liberty,  it  is  their  indisputa- 
ble right  to  demand  of  the  persons  who  confine  them,  a  copy 
of  the  warrant  under  which  they  act.  This  demand  was  made 
of  the  persons  by  whom  we  were  arrested,  by  divers  of  us  who 
were  absolutely  refused  it.  The  extraordinary  mode  of  con- 
ducting this  business,  prevented  our  knowing  to  whom  we  were 
to  apply  to  procure  a  copy,  till  yesterday  thou  produced  a  copy 
of  what  we  apprehended  was  the  original.  We  then  demanded 
a  transcript,  which  thou  promised  to  furnish  us  with,  properly 
certified.  At  the  second  interview,  thou  made  an  objection: 
that,  as  a  number  of  persons  named  in  it  had  not  been  taken, 
it  would  be  improper  to  expose  their  names,  but  as  soon  as  that 
should  take  place  thou  would  give  us  a  copy. 

As  we  are  conscious  of  innocence,  and  it  will  be  difficult  to 
attempt  any  thing  for  our  relief  without,  we  now  repeat  our  de- 
mand, and  in  order  to  obviate  thy  objection,  we  consent  that 
the  names  of  those  who  have  not  been  arrested  be  omitted  in 
the  copy  to  be  furnished  us. 

To  this  demand  we  apprehend  no  reasonable  objection  can 
be  made,  and  therefore  expect  a  speedy  compliance,  and  are 
thy  friends, 

John  Pemberton.  Thomas  Combe. 

James  Pemberton.  Charles  Eddy. 

William  Smith,  (broker.)      Owen  Jones,  jun. 
Charles  Jervis.  Henry  Drinker. 

Miers  Fisher.  Thomas  Fisher. 

Thomas  Affleck.  Thomas  Wharton. 

Thomas  Pike.  Samuel  R.  Fisher. 

Edward  Pennington.  William  D.  Smith. 

Thomas  Gilpin. 


SENT  TO  VIRGINIA. 


71 


Samuel  Coates  and  Charles  Eddy  soon  returned  and  in- 
formed us  they  had  delivered  our  letter  to  William  Bradford, 
who  said  he  would  go  immediately  to  the  Council,  and  call 
upon  us  with  an  answer.  James  Pemberton,  Edward  Pen- 
nington, Thomas  Wharton,  Henry  Drinker,  Thomas  Combe, 
and  Miers  Fisher,  were  desired  to  consider  of  such  further 
measures  as  would  be  most  likely  to  procure  relief  for  us,  and 
to  prepare  an  essay  of  a  remonstrance,  if  they  should  think  it  a 
proper  mode  of  application  to  any  of  the  present  powers.  At 
11  o'clock,  William  Bradford  called  and  informed  us  that  a 
copy  of  the  warrant  was  preparing  and  should  be  delivered  as 
soon  as  it  was  finished,  which  being  done  soon  after;  is  as  fol- 
lows : 

IN  COUNCIL. 

Philadelphia,  August  31,  1777. 

Whereas,  the  Congress  of  the  United  States  of  North  Ame- 
rica, have  by  their  resolve  of  the  28th  instant,  August,  recom- 
mended to  the  executive  powers  of  the  several  States,  to  ap- 
prehend and  secure  all  persons,  who  have  in  their  general 
conduct  and  conversation  evinced  a  disposition  inimical  to  the 
cause  of  America,  particularly,  Joshua  Fisher,  Abel  James, 
James  Pemberton,  Henry  Drinker,  Israel  Pemberton,  John 
Pemberton,  John  James,  Samuel  Pleasants,  Thomas  Wharton, 
sen.,  Thomas  Fisher,  and  Samuel  Fisher,  (sons  of  Joshua,) 
together  with  all  papers  in  their  possession  which  may  be  of  a 
political  nature,  and  that  the  persons  so  seized  be  confined  in 
such  places,  and  treated  in  such  manner  as  may  be  consistent 
with  their  respective  characters,  and  the  securities  of  their  per- 
sons, and  that  the  records  and  papers  of  the  Meeting  of  Suffer- 
ings of  the  Society  of  the  people  called  Quakers,  in  the  several 
States,  be  forthwith  secured,  and  such  parts  of  them  as  may  be 
of  a  political  nature,  be  forthwith  transmitted  to  Congress. 
And  whereas,  it  is  necessary  for  the  public  safety  at  this  time, 
when  a  British  army  has  landed  in  Maryland,  with  a  professed 


72 


EXILES  FROM  PENNSYLVANIA 


design  of  enslaving  this  free  country,  and  is  now  advancing 
toward  this  city,  as  a  principal  object  of  hostility,  that  such 
dangerous  persons  be  accordingly  secured,  therefore,  re- 
solved, that  a  suitable  number  of  friends  to  the  public  cause, 
be  authorized  forthwith  to  seize  and  secure  the  persons  of  the 
said 


*Joshua  Fisher, 

♦Thomas  Fisher,  son  of  Joshua, 

*Thomas  Wharton,  sen.. 

♦Samuel  Fisher,  son  of  Joshua, 

*Henry  Drinker, 

♦Joseph  Fox, 

John  James, 

♦Samuel  Shoemaker, 

*Miers  Fisher, 

William  Druit  Smith. 

*Adam  Kuhn,  M.  D., 

Alexander  Stedman, 

*George  Roberts, 

Charles  Stedman,  jun., 

*Rev.  Thomas  Combe, 

♦Owen  Jones,  jun., 

*Charles  Jervis, 

William  Lennox, 

*Samuel  Pleasants, 

♦Caleb  Emlen, 

*James  Pemberton, 

♦Charles  Eddy, 

*John  Pemberton, 

♦Thomas  Pike, 

♦Israel  Pemberton, 

♦Thomas  Ashton,  merchant. 

*Samuel  Emlen,  jun.. 

*Samuel  Jackson, 

*Hugh  Roberts, 

William  Smith,  broker. 

♦William  Smith,  D.  D., 

William  Inlay, 

*John  Hunt, 

♦Jeremiah  Warden, 

♦Samuel  Murdock, 

♦Thomas  Gilpin, 

*Abel  James, 

♦Edward  Pennington, 

Elijah  Brown, 

♦Thomas  Affleck. 

*Phineas  Bond, 

Resolved,  That  the  following  instructions  be  also  given: 
Early  attention  should  be  paid  to  John  Hunt,  who  lives  on 
the  Germantown  Road,  about  five  miles  from  the  city,  and  to 
John  Pemberton,  Samuel  Emlen,  and  other  leaders  in  the 
Society  of  Quakers,  concerning  books  and  papers ;  as  to  the 
rest,  your  own  prudence  will  direct. 

Congress  recommends  it,  and  we  wish  to  treat  men  of  repu- 


SENT  TO  VIRGINIA. 


tation  with  as  much  tenderness  as  the  security  of  their  persons 
and  papers  will  admit.  We  desire,  therefore,  that  if  the  per- 
sons whose  names  in  the  list  are  marked  with  a  cross  thus  x 
offer  to  you  by  promise  in  writing  to  remain  in  their  dwellings 
ready  to  appear  on  demand  of  Council,  and  meanwhile  to  re- 
frain from  doing  any  thing  inimical  to  the  United  States  of 
North  America,  by  speaking,  writing,  or  otherwise,  and  from 
giving  intelligence  to  the  Commander-in-chief  of  the  British 
forces,  or  any  other  pei'son  whatever  concerning  public  affairs, 
you  dismiss  them  from  further  confinement  of  their  persons. 
But  if  such  engagement,  or  a  promise  equivalent  thereto,  can- 
not be  obtained,  we  desire  that  in  such  case  you  confine  the 
refusers,  together  with  the  others  to  whose  names  the  said  mark 
is  not  affixed,  in  some  convenient  place,  under  a  guard,  with 
which  the  town  major.  Colonel  Nicola,  will  supply  you.  The 
Freemasons'  Lodge  may  perhaps  be  procured.  It  would 
serve  as  well  as  any  other  place  for  the  purpose.  You  may 
perceive  that  Council  would  not  without  necessity  commit 
many  of  the  persons  to  the  common  jail  or  even  to  the  state 
prison. 

Resolved,  That  the  following  be  appointed  and  authorized  to 
carry  into  execution  the  resolve  of  yesterday  respecting  the 
arresting  such  persons  as  are  deemed  inimical  to  the  cause  of 
American  liberty,  viz. : 

William  Bradford, 
William  Carson, 
Sharpe  Delany, 
William  Heysham, 
John  Downey, 
John  Purviance, 
John  Galloway, 
Joseph  Blower, 
John  Lisle, 
Paul  Coxe, 
James  Longhead, 


Lazarus  Pine, 
James  Claypole, 
Captain  Burney, 
William  Graham, 
James  Kerr, 
William  Hardy, 
William  Sharpe, 
Charles  Wilson  Peale, 
Captain  M'Cullock, 
Nathaniel  Donnell, 
Robert  Smith, 


74 


EXILES  FROM  PENNSYLVANIA 


Adam  Kimmel,  Thomas  Bradford, 

Jacob  Cannon, 

together  with  such  persons  as  they  shall  call  to  their  assistance. 

George  Bryan,  Vice-President. 

The  power  of  search  must  necessarily  extend  to  the  opening 
of  locks. 

George  Bryan,  Vice-President. 
A  true  copy. 

William  Bradford. 

12  o'clock.  John  Hunt,  Israel  Pemberton,  and  Samuel  Plea- 
sants, were  brought  to  our  apartment  as  fellow-prisoners. 
They  informed  us  they  had  been  arrested  by  virtue  of  the 
general  warrant,  but  having  refused  to  consider  themselves 
prisoners,  until  a  copy  was  granted  them,  they  were  suffered  to 
continue  at  large  until  1 1  o'clock  to-day ;  that  in  the  mean 
time  they  had  prepared  a  remonstrance  to  the  Council  against 
their  arbitrary  proceedings,  with  which  they,  together  with 
their  counsel,  attended  at  the  State  House,  and  after  repeated 
messages  passing  between  them  and  the  Council,  through 
Timothy  Matlack,  their  Secretary,  they  were  finally  refused  a 
hearing,  either  by  themselves  or  their  counsel,  upon  which 
they  were  arrested  and  conducted  to  us  by  Lewis  Nicola.  The 
copy  of  the  Warrant  with  the  Remonstrance  is  as  follows,  viz. 

TO  the  president  and  council  of  PENNSYLVANIA. 

The  remonstrance  of  Israel  Pemberton,  John  Hunt,  and 
Samuel  Pleasants,  sheweth : 

That  Lewis  Nicola  is  about  to  deprive  us  of  our  liberty,  by 
an  order  from  you,  of  which  the  following  is  a  copy. 

"  In  Council,  September  3d,  1777. 

"  Ordered,  that  Colonel  Nicola,  town  major,  do  take  a  pro- 
per guard  and  seize  Israel  Pemberton,  John  Hunt,  and  Samuel 


SENT  TO  VIRGINIA. 


75 


Pleasants,  and  conduct  them  to  the  Freemasons'  Lodge,  and 
there  confine  them  under  guard  till  further  orders." 

We  are  advised,  and  from  our  own  knowledge  of  our  rights 
and  privileges  as  freemen  are  assured,  that  your  issuing  this 
order  is  arbitrary,  unjust,  and  illegal,  and  therefore  we  believe 
it  is  our  duty,  in  clear  and  express  terms,  to  remonstrate 
against  it. 

The  order  appears  to  be  arbitrary,  as  you  have  assumed  an 
authority  not  founded  on  law  or  reason,  to  deprive  us,  who  are 
peaceable  men,  and  have  never  borne  arms,  of  our  liberty,  by 
a  military  force,  when  you  might  have  directed  a  legal  course 
of  proceeding.  Unjust,  as  we  have  not  attempted,  nor  are 
charged  with  any  act  inconsistent  with  the  character  we  have 
steadily  maintained  as  good  citizens,  solicitous  to  promote  the 
real  interest  of  our  country.  And  that  it  is  illegal,  is  evident  from 
the  perusal  and  consideration  of  the  constitution  of  the  govern- 
ment from  which  you  derive  all  your  authority  and  power. 

We  therefore  claim  our  undoubted  right  as  freemen,  having 
a  just  sense  of  the  inestimable  value  of  religious  and  civil 
liberty,  to  be  heard,  before  we  are  confined  in  the  manner  di- 
rected by  said  order ;  and  we  have  the  more  urgent  cause  for 
insisting  on  this  our  right,  as  several  of  our  fellow-citizens  have 
been  some  days,  and  now  are  confined  by  your  order,  and  no 
opportunity  is  oflfered  them  to  be  heard  ;  and  we  have  been 
informed  that  it  is  your  purpose  to  send  them  and  us  into  a  dis- 
tant part  of  the  country,  even  beyond  the  limit  of  the  jurisdic- 
tion you  claim,  and  where  the  recourse  we  are  justly  entitled 
to,  of  being  heard  or  clearing  ourselves  from  any  charge  or 
suspicions  you  may  entertain  against  us  ivill  be  impracticable. 

We  fervently  desire  you  may  be  so  wise  as  to  attend  to  the 
dictates  of  truth  and  justice  in  your  minds,  and  observe  the 
precepts  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  whom  you  profess  to  believe 
in.  "  All  things  whatsoever  ye  would  that  men  should  do  to 
you  do  you  even  so  to  them,"  (see  Matthew  vii.  12,)  and  then 
we  have  no  doubt  you  will  comply  with  this  just  claim  we 


76 


KXILES  FROM  PENNSYLVANIA 


make,  which  will  be  duly  acknowledged  by  your  real  friends 
and  well-wishers. 

Israel  Pemberton, 
John  Hunt, 
Samuel  Pleasants. 

Philadelphia,  4th  of  9th  month,  1777. 

The  committee  for  that  purpose  appointed,  reported  an  essay 
of  a  remonstrance  to  Council,  which  being  read,  and  consi- 
dered, was  agreed  to,  and  a  fair  copy,  signed  by  twenty  of  us, 
was  delivered  to  James  Craig,  John  Reynell,  and  Owen  Jones, 
who  undertook  to  present  it.  They  returned  some  time  after, 
and  informed  us  they  had  met  with  the  President  (the  Council 
being  broke  up),  and  delivered  it  to  him  ;  that  he  read  it,  ap- 
peared to  be  somewhat  affected  with  our  situation,  but  blamed 
us  for  not  accepting  the  terms  of  the  parole  and  then  remon- 
strating ;  he  promised,  however,  to  lay  it  before  the  Council, 
and  gave  them  expectation  he  would  send  us  an  answer  by  ten 
o'clock  to-morrow. 

Having  received  information  from  Isaac  Melchoir,  that  he 
was  ordered  to  procure  wagons  for  our  removal  to  Virginia, 
on  seventh  day  next,  we  thought  it  prudent  to  acquaint  our 
fellow-citizens  with  the  hardships  we  were  likely  to  suffer,  and 
to  publish  in  a  handbill  some  copies  of  the  remonstrance  of  our 
friends,  John  Hunt,  Israel  Pemberton,  and  Samuel  Pleasants, 
which  Robert  Bell  undertook  to  print. 

Eight  o'clock.  Wm.  Bradford  laid  before  us  a  letter  he 
received  from  Timothy  Matlack,  Secretary  to  the  Council,  in- 
forming us  of  our  intended  removal  to  Virginia,  and  the  time 
proposed.  This  daring  insult  on  our  liberties,  after  refusing  to 
hear  us,  we  thought  should  not  be  concealed  from  the  people. 
We  therefore  desired  Robert  Bell  to  add  to  it  a  short  preface 
to  the  handbill  containing  the  remonstrance  above  mentioned. 

Considering  the  unprecedented  strides  Council  was  making 
in  the  total  abolition  of  every  species  of  liberty,  and  that  if 
they  were  not  checked  in  this  outrageous  attempt,  they  might 


SENT  TO  VIRGINIA. 


77 


proceed  to  the  greatest  extremities  in  the  wanton  exercise  of 
their  power,  even  to  the  evacuation  and  destruction  of  the  city, 
and  as  no  time  was  to  be  lost,  we  concluded  to  furnish  Robert 
Bell  with  a  copy  of  our  remonstrances  of  this  day,  which  he 
promised  to  print,  so  as  to  disperse  a  number  of  them  through 
the  town  by  to-morrow  noon. 

But,  after  the  remonstrance  was  written,  and  previously  to 
its  being  published,  William  Bradford  came,  and  read  us  a  let- 
ter to  him,  of  which  the  following  is  a  copy. 

Sir, 

Council  have  resolved  to  send  the  prisoners  now  confined  in 
the  Freemasons'  Lodge,  to  Staunton,  in  the  county  of  Au- 
gusta, in  the  state  of  Virginia,  there  to  be  secured  and  treated 
in  such  manner  as  shall  be  consistent  with  their  respective 
characters,  and  the  security  of  their  persons ;  which  you  are 
requested  to  communicate  to  them,  and  inform  them  that  car- 
riages will  be  provided  for  their  accommodation  on  the  journey, 
unless  they  choose  to  provide  themselves  therewith.  It  is  pro- 
posed they  go  off  on  Saturday  morning  next. 

I  am,  with  great  respect, 
Your  humble  servant, 

Timothy  Matlack, 
For  Col.  Wm.  Bradford.  Secretary. 

Thursday,  Sept.  4th,  1777. 

The  above  is  a  true  copy  of  the  letter  I  received  this  even- 
ing from  Timothy  Matlack. 

William  Bradford. 

to  the  president  and  council  of  PENNSYLVANIA. 

The  remonstrance  of  the  subscribers,  freemen  and  in- 
habitants of  the  city  of  Philadelphia,  now  confined  in  the  Free- 
masons' Lodge,  sheweth  : 

That  the  subscribers  have  been  by  virtue  of  a  warrant 
signed  in  council,  by  Geo.  Bryan,  Vice-President,  arrested  in 


78 


EXILES  FROM  PENNSYLVANIA 


our  houses,  and  on  our  lawful  occasions,  and  conducted  to 
this  place,  where  we  have  been  kept  in  close  confinement, 
under  a  strong  military  guard,  two  or  more  days,  and  although 
divers  of  us  demanded  of  the  messengers  who  arrested  us,  and 
insisted  on  having  copies  of  the  said  warrant,  yet  we  were  not 
able  to  procure  the  same  until  this  morning,  but  have  remained 
here  unaccused  and  unheard. 

We  now  take  the  earliest  opportunity  of  laying  our  griev- 
ances before  your  body  from  whom  we  apprehend  they  pro- 
ceed, and  of  claiming  to  ourselves  the  liberties  and  privileges 
to  which  we  are  entitled,  by  the  fundamental  rules  of  justice, 
by  our  birthright  and  inheritance,  by  the  laws  of  the  land,  and 
by  the  express  provision  of  the  present  constitution,  under 
which  your  board  derives  its  power. 

We  apprehend  that  no  man  can  be  lawfully  deprived  of  his 
liberty  without  a  warrant  from  some  persons  having  competent 
authority,  specifying  an  offence  against  the  laws  of  the  land, 
supported  by  oath  or  affirmation  of  the  accusers,  and  limiting 
the  time  of  his  imprisonment,  until  he  is  heard,  or  legally  dis- 
charged, unless  the  party  be  found  in  the  actual  perpetration 
of  a  crime.  Natural  justice,  equally  with  law,  declares  that 
the  party  accused  should  know  what  he  is  to  answer  to,  and 
have  an  opportunity  of  showing  his  innocence.  These  prin- 
ciples are  strongly  enforced  in  the  ninth  and  tenth  sections  of 
the  Declaration  of  Rights,  which  form  a  fundamental  and  in- 
violable part  of  the  Constitution  from  which  you  derive  your 
power,  wherein  it  is  declared. 

"  IX. — That  in  all  prosecutions  for  criminal  offences,  a  man 
hath  a  right  to  be  heard  by  himself  and  counsel,  and  to  demand 
the  cause  and  nature  of  his  accusation,  to  be  confronted  with 
the  witnesses,  to  call  for  evidence  in  his  favour,  and  a  speedy 
public  trial  by  an  impartial  jury  of  the  country,  without  the 
unanimous  consent  of  which  he  cannot  be  found  guilty,  nor  can 
he  be  compelled  to  give  evidence  against  himself,  nor  can  any 
man  be  justly  deprived  of  his  liberty  except  by  the  laws  of  the 
land,  or  the  judgment  of  his  peers. 


SENT  TO  VIRGINIA. 


79 


"  X. — That  the  people  have  a  just  right  to  hold  themselves, 
their  houses  and  possessions,  free  from  search  or  seizure,  and 
thei'efore  warrants  without  oath  or  affirmation  first  made, 
affording  a  sufficient  foundation  for  them,  and  whereby  any 
officer  or  messenger  may  be  commanded  or  required  to  search 
suspicious  places,  or  to  seize  any  person  or  persons,  his  or 
their  property,  not  particularly  described,  are  contrary  to  that 
right,  and  ought  not  to  be  granted." 

How  far  these  principles  have  been  adhered  to  in  the  course 
of  this  business,  we  shall  go  on  to  show. 

Upon  the  examination  of  the  said  warrant,  we  find  it  is  in 
all  respects  inadequate  to  these  descriptions;  altogether  un- 
precedented in  this  or  any  free  country,  both  in  its  sub- 
stance and  the  latitude  given  to  the  messengers  who  were  to 
execute  it,  and  wholly  subversive  of  the  very  constitution  you 
profess  to  support.  The  only  charge  on  which  it  is  founded, 
is  a  recommendation  of  Congress  to  apprehend  and  secure  all 
persons  who  in  their  general  conduct  and  conversation  have 
evidenced  a  disposition  inimical  to  the  cause  of  America,  and 
particularly  naming  some  of  us ;  but  not  suggesting  the  least 
offence  to  have  been  committed  by  us. 

It  authorizes  the  messengers  to  search  all  papers  belonging 
to  us,  upon  a  bare  possibility  that  something  political  may  be 
found,  but  without  the  least  ground  for  a  suspicion  of  the  kind. 

It  requires  papers  relative  to  the  sufferings  of  the  people 
called  Quakers  to  be  seized,  without  limiting  the  search  to  any 
house  or  number  of  houses,  under  colour  of  which  every  house 
in  the  city  might  be  broken  open. 

To  persons  whom  the  Congress  have  thought  proper  to 
select,  the  warrant  adds  a  number  of  the  inhabitants  of  the 
city,  of  whom  some  of  us  are  a  part ;  without  the  least  in- 
sinuation that  they  are  within  the  description  given  by  the  Con- 
gress in  their  recommendation. 

It  directs  all  these  matters  to  be  executed  (though  of  the 
highest  importance  to  the  liberties  of  the  people),  at  the  dis- 
cretion of  a  set  of  men  who  are  under  no  qualification  for  the 


80 


EXILES  FROM  PENNSYLVANIA 


due  exercise  of  the  office,  and  are  unaccustomed  to  the  forms 
of  executing  civil  process,  from  whence,  probably,  have  pro- 
ceeded the  excesses  and  irregularities  committed  by  some  of 
them,  in  divers  instances,  by  refusing  to  give  copies  of  the 
process  to  the  parties  interested;  by  denying  some  of  us  a 
reasonable  time  to  consider  of  answers,  and  prepare  for  con- 
finement. In  the  absence  of  others,  by  breaking  our  desks  and 
other  private  repositories,  and  by  ransacking  and  carrying  off 
all  domestic  papers,  printed  books,  and  other  matters  not  within 
the  terms  of  the  warrant.  It  limits  no  time  for  the  duration  of 
our  imprisonment,  nor  points  out  any  hearing,  which  is  abso- 
lutely requisite  to  make  a  legal  warrant,  but  confounds  in  one 
warrant  the  power  to  apprehend  and  the  authority  to  commit, 
without  interposing  a  judicial  officer  between  the  parties  and 
the  messenger. 

Upon  the  whole,  we  consider  this  warrant  and  the  proceed- 
ing thereon,  to  be  far  more  dangerous  in  its  tendency,  and  a 
more  flagrant  violation  of  every  right  which  is  dear  to  freemen, 
than  any  act  which  is  to  be  found  in  the  records  of  the  English 
Constitution. 

But,  when  we  consider  the  use  to  which  this  general  warrant 
has  been  applied,  and  the  persons  upon  whom  it  has  been 
executed,  (who  challenge  the  world  to  charge  them  with 
offence,)  it  becomes  of  too  great  magnitude  to  be  considered 
the  cause  of  the  few.  It  is  the  cause  of  every  inhabitant,  and 
may,  if  permitted  to  pass  into  a  precedent,  establish  a  system 
of  arbitrary  power,  unknown  but  in  the  Inquisition,  or  the 
despotic  courts  of  the  East. 

What  adds  further  to  the  alarming  stretch  of  power  is,  that 
we  are  informed  that  the  Vice-President  of  the  Council  has  de- 
clared to  one  of  the  magistrates  of  the  city,  who  called  on  him 
to  inquire  the  cause  of  our  confinement,  that  we  were  to  be 
sent  to  Virginia  unhe,ard. 

Scarcely  could  we  believe  such  a  declaration  could  have 
been  made  by  a  person  who  fills  the  second  place  in  the  govern- 
ment, till  we  were  this  day  confirmed  in  the  melancholy  truth 


SENT  TO  VIRGINIA. 


81 


by  three  of  the  subscribers,  whom  you  absolutely  refused  to 
hear  in  person  or  by  counsel.  We  would  remind  you  of  com- 
plaints urged  by  numbers  of  yourselves  against  the  Parliament 
of  Great  Britain,  for  condemning  the  town  of  Boston  unheard, 
and  we  will  call  upon  you  to  reconcile  your  present  conduct 
with  your  then  professions  or  repeated  declarations  in  favour 
of  general  liberty. 

In  the  name,  therefore,  of  the  whole  body  of  the  freemen  of 
Pennsylvania,  whose  liberties  are  radically  struck  at,  by  this 
arbitrary  imprisonment  of  us,  their  unoffending  fellow-citizens, 
we  demand  an  audience,  that  so  our  innocence  may  appear 
and  persecution  give  place  to  justice. 

But,  if  regardless  of  every  sacred  obligation  by  which  men 
are  bound  to  each  other  in  society,  and  by  that  constitution  by 
which  you  profess  to  govern,  which  you  have  so  loudly  magni- 
fied for  the  free  spirit  it  breathes,  you  are  still  determined  to 
proceed,  be  the  appeal  to  the  Righteous  Judge  of  all  the  earth, 
for  the  integrity  of  our  hearts  and  the  unparalleled  tyranny  of 
your  measures. 

James  Pemberton,  Thomas  Affleck, 

Thomas  Wharton,  Charles  Jervis, 

Edward  Pennington,  William  Sm.ith,  (broker,) 

Henry  Drinker,  William  Druit  Smith, 

Phineas  Bond,  Thomas  Fisher, 

Thomas  Gilpin,  Miers  Fisher, 

Thomas  Combe,  Charles  Eddy, 

John  Pemberton,  Israel  Pemberton, 

Thomas  Pike,  John  Hunt, 

Owen  Jones,  jun.,  Samuel  Pleasants. 

Masons'  Lodge,  Philadelphia,  September  4,  1777. 

The  guards,  for  these  two  days  past,  have  behaved  with 
complaisance,  admitting  every  person  who  called  to  see  us 
without  distinction,  which  occasioned  a  great  resort  of  com- 
pany of  the  most  respectable  fellow-citizens,  who  were  per- 

6 


82 


EXILES  FROM  PENNSYLVANIA 


mitted  to  go  in  and  out  of  the  house  without  attendants,  and 
several  of  our  company  to  their  homes  for  a  short  time. 

9th  month,  5th. — This  day,  those  who  were  named  to  make 
an  address  to  Congress,  took  into  consideration  the  propriety 
of  remonstrating  to  them  the  demand  to  be  heard;  and  accord- 
ingly prepared  a  remonstrance,  which  they  signed,  and  then 
laid  it  before  us,  giving  us  our  choice  to  join  with  them  therein, 
by  adding  a  paragraph  at  the  foot,  adapted  to  our  case,  which 
we  thought  unnecessary  ;  whereupon,  it  was  presented  by  John 
Reynell  and  Owen  Jones ;  being  as  follows,  viz. : 

TO  THE  CONGRESS. 

Tlie  remonstrance  of  the  subscribers,  citizens  of  Philadelphia, 
shewelh : 

That  we  are  confined  now  by  a  military  guard,  having  been 
■arrested  and  deprived  of  our  liberty,  by  order  of  the  President 
and  Council  of  Pennsylvania,  in  consequence  of  a  resolve  made 
by  you  on  the  twenty-eighth  day  of  last  month,  "  Recommend- 
ing to  the  executive  powers  of  the  several  States,  to  apprehend 
and  secure  all  persons  who  have  in  their  general  conduct  and 
conversation  evinced  a  disposition  inimical  to  the  cause  of 
America,  and  particularly  naming  the  subscribers,  together 
with  all  such  papers  in  our  possession  as  may  be  of  a  political 
nature."  The  copy  of  which  resolve  we  could  not  obtain  till 
yesterday  afternoon. 

Conscious  of  our  innocence  and  that  we  have  given  no  just 
occasion  to  have  our  characters  thus  traduced  and  injuriously 
treated,  we  have  remonstrated  to  the  said  President  and  Coun- 
cil, against  their  arbitrary,  unjust,  and  illegal  proceeding 
against  us,  and  demanded  our  undoubted  right  of  being  heard 
by  them,  knowing  we  can  manifest  the  falsehood  and  injustice 
of  any  injurious  charge  or  suspicion  they  or  you  may  entertain 
concerning  us;  but  we  are  denied  the  opportunity  of  such  a 
hearing,  and  were  last  evening  informed,  by  their  order,  that 
they  have  resolved  to  send  us  to  Staunton,  in  the  county  of 


SENT  TO  VIRGINIA. 


S3 


Augusta,  in  Virginia,  and  we  are  now  told  that  place  is  ap- 
pointed by  you  for  our  confinement. 

We,  therefore,  by  our  love  to  our  country,  whose  true  in- 
terest and  prosperity  we  have  steadily  pursued  through  the 
course  of  our  conduct  and  conversation,  and  in  justice  to  our 
characters  as  freemen  and  Christians,  with  that  freedom  and 
resolution  which  influences  men  conscious  of  being  void  of 
just  cause  of  offence,  are  bound  to  remonstrate  against  your 
arbitrary,  unjust,  and  cruel  treatment  of  us,  our  characters,  and 
families,  and  against  the  course  of  proceedings  you  have  chosen 
and  prescribed,  by  which  the  liberty,  property,  and  character, 
of  every  freeman  in  America,  is  or  may  be  endangered. 

Most  of  you  are  not  personally  known  to  us,  nor  are  we  to 
you.  Few  of  you  have  had  the  opportunity  of  conversing  with 
any  of  us,  or  of  knowing  any  thing  more  of  our  conduct  and 
conversation  than  what  you  have  received  from  others;  and 
thus  we  are  subjected  to  the  unjust  suspicions  you  have  enter- 
tained, from  the  uncertain  reports  of  our  adversaries,  and  are 
condemned  unheard,  to  be  deprived  of  our  most  endearing  con- 
nexions and  temporal  enjoyments,  when  our  personal  care  of 
them  is  most  immediately  necessary. 

We  are  therefore  engaged  in  the  most  solemn  manner  to  call 
upon  you,  and  entreat  you  to  reconsider  well  upon  the  course 
of  your  proceedings  respecting  us,  and  either  by  yourselves,  or 
the  said  President  and  Council,  to  give  us  the  opportunity  of  a 
hearing,  and  answering  every  matter  suggested  to,  and  enter- 
tained by  you  or  them  against  us;  being  assured  we  shall  ap- 
pear to  be  true  friends  to,  and  to  be  anxiously  solicitous  for  the 
prosperity  of  America,  upon  the  principles  of  justice  and  liberty  ; 
and  though  we  are  clearly  convinced,  from  the  precepts  of 
Christ,  the  doctrines  of  his  Apostles,  and  the  example  of  his 
followers,  in  the  primitive  ages  of  Christianity,  that  all  outward 
wars  and  fightings  are  unlawful,  and  therefore,  cannot  join 
therein  for  any  cause  whatever,  we  cannot  but  remind  you  that 
we  are  by  the  same  principle  restrained  from  pursuing  any 
measures  inconsistent  with  the  Apostles'  advice,   "  to  live 


84 


EXILES  FROM  PENNSYLVANIA 


peaceably  with  all  men,"  under  whatever  power  it  is  our  lot  to 
live,  which  rule  of  conduct  we  are  determined  to  observe  what- 
ever you  or  any  others  may  determine  concerning  us. 

Your  characters,  in  the  conspicuous  station  you  stand,  and 
the  due  regard  to  the  liberties,  properties,  and  even  lives,  of 
those  whoever  may  be  afflicted  by  the  course  of  your  proceed- 
ings, so  loudly  proclaim  the  justice  of  our  demands  for  a  hear- 
ing, that  if  more  lime  remained  for  it,  we  judge  further  reason- 
ing unnecessary,  beseeching  you  to  remember  that  we  are  all 
to  appear  before  the  tribunal  of  Divine  Justice,  there  to  render 
an  account  of  our  actions,  and  receive  a  reward  according  as 
our  works  have  been,  and  we  sincerely  desire  for  you,  as  we 
do  for  ourselves,  that  we  may  all  so  direct  our  course,  that  we 
may  at  that  tribunal  receive  the  answer  of  "  well  done,"  and 
enjoy  the  reward  of  eternal  peace  and  happiness. 

Israel  Pemberton,  Henry  Drinker, 
James  Pemberton,  Thomas  Fisher, 
John  Pemberton,  Samuel  Pleasants, 

Thomas  Wharton,        Samuel  R.  Fisher. 

Philadelphia,  5th  day  of  9th  month,  1777. 

At  noon.  Elijah  Brown  was  brought  here  a  prisoner  by  vir- 
tue of  a  general  warrant. 

On  conferring  together,  it  was  thought  necessary  to  lay  a 
state  of  our  case  before  the  people,  who  are  equaWy  interested 
with  us  in  the  struggle.  Thomas  Wharton,  Phineas  Bond,  and 
Miers  Fisher,  are  appointed  a  committee  to  prepare  an  essay. 

At  seven  o'clock,  p.  m.,  William  Bradford  delivered  us  the 
following  letter  he  had  received  from  Timothy  Matlack,  which 
being  read  was  taken  into  consideration,  and  it  appearing  to 
be  intended  as  an  evasion  of  giving  us  a  hearing  by  proposing 
tests,  Thomas  Wharton  and  Miers  Fisher  were  appointed  a 
committee  to  prepare  an  essay  of  another  remonstrance  to  the 
President  and  Council  on  the  subject. 

The  following  letter  of  Timothy  Matlack  to  William  Brad- 


SENT  TO  VIRGINIA. 


85 


ford,  we  suppose  to  be  an  answer  of  Council  to  our  second  re- 
monstrance of  September  4th,  1777. 

Philadelphia,  Sept.  5,  1777. 

Sir, 

A  remonstrance  signed  by  the  gentlemen  confined  in  the 
Masons'  Lodge,  having  been  presented  to  Council  and  read, 
the  Council  took  the  same  into  consideration,  and  asked  the 
advice  of  Congress  thereupon,  which  being  received,  the 
Council  thereupon  passed  the  following  resolve,  which  we  beg 
the  favour  of  you  to  communicate  to  the  aforesaid  gentlemen. 

In  Council,  Philadelphia,  Sept.  5,  1777.  Resolved,  That 
such  of  the  persons  now  confined  in  the  Lodge,  as  shall  take 
or  subscribe  the  oath  or  affirmation  required  by  law,  in  this 
commonwealth;  or  that  shall  take  and  subscribe  the  following 
oath  or  affirmation,  to  wit : 

"1  do  swear  (or  affirm)  that  I  will  be  faithful  and  bear  true 
allegiance  to  the  Commonwealth  of  Pennsylvania,  as  a  free 
and  independent  State," — shall  be  discharged. 

I  am,  respectfully,  your  very  humble  servant, 

Timothy  Matlack, 

Secretary. 

To  Colonel  Wm.  Bradford, 

The  committee  appointed  to  prepare  an  address  to  the  peo- 
ple, reported  an  essay,  which  was,  with  some  amendments, 
agreed  to,  and  a  fair  copy  transcribed  and  signed.  It  was 
proposed  to  insert  the  same  in  the  Evening  Post ;  the  printer 
being  sent  for,  a  conversation  ensued  which  we  thought  it 
might  be  proper  to  add  hereafter  by  way  of  postscript  to  our 
address.  In  the  evening  we  sent  for  Robert  Bell,  and  agreed 
with  him  to  publish  it  in  a  pamphlet,  as  follows,  to  wit. 


86 


EXILES  FROM  PENNSYLVANIA. 


AN  ADDRESS  TO  THE  INHABITANTS  OF 
PENNSYLVANIA, 

By  those  Freemen  of  the  City  of  Philadelphia,  who  are  now 
confined  in  the  Masons'  Lodge  by  virtue  of  a  General  Warrant. 
Signed  in  Council  by  the  Vice  President  of  the  Council  of 
Pennsylvania. 

Philadelphia,  printed  by  Robert  Bell,  Third  Street,  1777. 


"  The  political  liberty  of  the  subject  is  a  tranquillity  of  mind 
arising  from  the  opinion  each  person  has  of  his  safety. 

"  In  order  to  have  this  liberty,  it  is  requisite  that  the  govern- 
ment be  so  constituted  that  one  man  need  not  be  afraid  of 
another. 

"  When  the  legislative  or  executive  bodies  are  united  in  the 
same  person,  or  in  the  same  body  of  magistrates,  there  can  be 
no  liberty ;  because  apprehensions  may  arise  lest  the  same 
monarch  or  senate  should  enact  tyrannical  laws,  to  execute 
them  in  a  tyrannical  manner." — Montesquieu's  Spirit  of  Laws, 
book  ix.  ch.  vi. 


Having  in  the  course  of  the  present  week,  laid  before  the 
public,  some  remonsirances  which  our  present  situation  called 
on  us  to  make  to  the  President  and  Council,  and  in  which  we 
conceived  you  were  equally  (though  not  so  immediately)  con- 
cerned with  ourselves,  and  perceiving  that  advantage  is  taken 
of  our  situation,  to  represent  us  to  you,  as  men  dangerous  to 
the  community:  we  think  ourselves  bound  by  the  duty  we  owe 
to  our  country, — to  our  families, — to  those  who  have  heretofore 
held  us  in  esteem, — and  to  the  general  welfare  of  society,  to  ad- 


ADDRESS  TO  THE  INHABITANTS. 


87 


dress  you,  and  lay  before  you  a  particular  statement  of  a  most 
dangerous  attack,  which  has  been  made  upon  the  cause  of  civil 
and  religious  freedom,  by  confining,  and  attempting  to  banish 
from  their  tenderest  connexions,  a  number  of  men  who  can, 
without  boasting,  claim  to  themselves  the  characters  of  upright 
and  good  citizens. 

For  some  time  past,  it  has  been  a  subject  of  public  conver- 
sation, that  lists  were  made  out  of  great  numbers  of  the  citi- 
zens of  Philadelphia,  who  were  to  be  confined  for  offences 
supposed  to  have  been  committed  against  the  interests  of  Ame- 
rica. These  reports  were  generally  supposed  to  arise  from 
intemperate  zeal  and  personal  animosities;  and  until  the  at- 
tempt, which  creates  the  necessity  of  calling  your  attention  to 
us,  little  regard  seemed  to  be  paid  to  them. 

But  a  few  days  since  the  scene  opened,  and  we  the  subscri- 
bers were  called  upon  by  persons,  not  known  as  public  officers 
of  justice,  to  put  our  names  to  a  paper,  "  promising  not  to  de- 
part from  our  dwelling-houses,  and  to  be  ready  to  appear,  on 
the  demand  of  the  President  and  Council  of  the  State  o{  Penn- 
sylvania, and  to  engage  to  refrain  from  doing  any  thing  inju- 
rious to  the  United  Free  States  of  North  America,  by  speaking, 
writing,  or  otherwise,  and  from  giving  intelligence  to  the  com- 
mander of  the  British  forces,  or  any  other  person  whatever, 
concerning  public  affairs." 

Conscious  of  our  innocence  in  respect  to  the  charges  insinu- 
ated in  this  paper  against  us,  and  unwilling  to  part  with  the 
liberty  of  breathing  the  free  air,  and  following  our  lawful  busi- 
ness beyond  the  narrow  limits  of  our  houses,  disclaiming  to 
be  considered  in  so  odious  a  light,  as  men  who  by  crimes  had 
forfeited  our  common  and  inherent  rights,  we  refused  to  be- 
come voluntary  prisoners,  and  rejected  the  proposal.  We  de- 
manded with  that  boldness  which  is  inseparable  from  innocence, 
to  know  by  what  authority  they  acted,  of  what  crimes  we 
were  accused  meriting  such  treatment ;  and  though  to  some 
of  us  the  small  satisfaction  was  given,  of  acquainting  us  they 
acted  in  pursuance  of  a  recommendation  of  Congress,  and  to 


88 


EXILES  FROM  PENNSYLVANIA. 


Others  was  read  part  of  a  warrant  from  the  President  and 
Council,  yet  not  one  of  us  was  allowed  the  indisputable  right 
of  either  reading  or  copying  it.  Although  the  great  number  of 
messengers  employed  in  the  execution  of  this  warrant,  and  of 
the  persons  who  were  the  objects  of  it,  varied  some  of  the  cir- 
cumstances attending  it,  yet  the  general  tenor  of  their  conduct 
was  uniform,  and  marks  the  spirit  which  actuated  them.  We 
were  all,  upon  our  refusal  to  subscribe,  either  immediately,  or 
in  some  short  time  conducted  to  this  place,  where  we  remained 
in  close  confinement,  under  a  military  guard,  for  twenly-four 
hours,  expecting  to  be  informed  of  the  cause  of  our  being 
taken,  and  to  have  an  opportunity  of  defending  ourselves  ;  but 
finding  no  notice  taken  of  us  by  our  persecutors,  we  at  length 
unitedly  demanded  of  one  of  the  principal  messengers,  a  copy 
of  the  warrant,  by  virtue  of  which  we  were  seized,  in  order 
that  we  might  know  from  thence,  w^hat  heinous  crimes  were 
charged  on  us,  to  justify  such  rigorous  treatment.  After  con- 
sulting his  employers,  and  causing  some  delay,  he  thought  pro- 
per to  grant  our  demand ;  but  how  were  we  astonished  to 
find  a  general  warrant,  specifying  no  manner  of  offence  against 
us,  appointing  no  authority  to  hear  and  judge  whether  we  were 
guilty  or  innocent,  nor  limiting  any  duration  to  our  confine- 
ment. Nor  was  this  extraordinary  warrant  more  exceptiona- 
ble in  these  respects,  than  in  the  powers  given  to  the  messen- 
gers to  break  and  search  not  only  our  own,  but  all  the  houses 
their  heated  imaginations  might  lead  them  to  suspect.  It  would 
be  tedious  to  remark  all  the  gross  enormities  contained  in  this 
engine  of  modern  despotism ;  we  therefore  present  you  with  a 
copy,  from  a  bare  perusal  of  which  you  will  form  a  better  idea 
of  the  arbitrary  spirit  it  breathes,  than  from  any  description 
we  could  possibly  give  of  it. 

IN  COUNCIL. 

Philadelphia,  August  31,  1777. 

Whereas,  the  Congress  of  the  United  States  of  North  Ame- 
rica, have  by  their  resolve  of  the  28th  instant,  August,  recom- 


ADDRESS  TO  THE  INHABITANTS. 


89 


mended  to  the  executive  powers  of  the  several  States,  to  ap- 
prehend and  secure  all  persons,  who  have  in  their  general  con- 
duct and  conversation  evidenced  a  disposition  inimical  to  the 
cause  of  America,  particularly,  Joshua  Fisher,  Abel  James, 
James  Pemberton,  Henry  Drinker,  Israel  Pemberton,  John 
Pemberton,  John  James,  Samuel  Pleasants,  Thomas  Wharton, 
sen.,  Thomas  Fisher,  and  Samuel  Fisher,  (sons  of  Joshua,)  to- 
gether with  all  such  papers  in  their  possession  as  may  be  of  a 
political  nature,  and  that  the  persons  so  seized  be  confined  in 
such  places,  and  treated  in  such  manner,  as  shall  be  consistent 
with  their  respective  characters,  and  the  security  of  their  per- 
sons,— and  that  the  records  and  papers  of  the  Meetings  of  Suffer- 
ings of  the  Society  of  the  people  called  Quakers,  in  the  several 
States,  be  forthwith  secured,  and  such  parts  of  them  as  may  be 
of  a  political  nature,  be  forthwith  transmitted  to  Congress. 
And  whereas,  it  is  necessary  for  the  public  safety  at  this  time, 
when  a  British  army  has  landed  in  Maryland,  with  a  prolessed 
design  of  enslaving  this  free  country,  and  is  now  advancing 
toward  this  city,  as  a  principal  object  of  hostility,  that  such 
dangerous  persons  be  accordingly  secured,  therefore,  resolved, 
that  a  suitable  number  of  the  friends  to  the  public  cause,  be 
authorized  forthwith  to  seize  and  secure  the  persons  of  the  said 

*Joshua  Fisher,  *Thomas  Fisher,  son  of  Joshua, 

*Thomas  Wharton,  sen.,  *Samuel  Fisher,  son  of  Joshua, 

*Henry  Drinker,  *Joseph  Fox, 

John  James,  *Samuel  Shoemaker, 

*Miers  Fisher,  William  Druit  Smith, 

*Adam  Kuhn,  M.  D.,  Alexander  Stedman, 

*George  Roberts,  Charles  Stedman,  jun., 

*Rev.  Thomas  Combe,  *Owen  Jones,  jun., 

♦Charles  Jervis,  William  Lennox, 

*Samuel  Pleasants,  *Caleb  Emlen, 

*James  Pemberton,  *Charles  Eddy, 

♦John  Pemberton,  *Thomas  Pike, 

♦Israel  Pemberton,  *Thomas  Ashton,  merchant, 


90 


EXILES  FROM  PENNSYLVANIA. 


*Samuel  Emlen, 
*Hugh  Roberts, 
*William  Smith,  D.  D., 
*John  Hunt, 
*Samuel  Miirdock, 
*Abel  James, 
Elijah  Brown, 
*Phineas  Bond, 


*Samuel  Jackson, 
William  Smith,  broker, 
William  Inlay, 
*Jeremiah  Warder, 
*Thornas  Gilpin, 
♦Edward  Pennington, 
*Thomas  Affleck. 


Resolved,  That  the  following  instructions  be  also  given: 
Early  attention  should  be  given  to  John  Hunt,  who  lives  on 
the  Germantown  Road,  about  five  miles  off  the  city,  and  to 
John  Pemberton,  Samuel  Emlen,  and  other  leaders  in  the 
Society  of  Quakers,  concerning  books  and  papers;  as  to  the 
rest,  your  own  prudence  must  direct. 

Congress  recommends  it,  and  we  wish  to  treat  men  of  repu- 
tation with  as  much  tenderness  as  the  security  of  their  persons 
and  papers  will  admit.  W'e  desire,  therefore,  that  if  the 
persons  whose  names  in  the  list  are  marked  thus  *,  offer  to  you 
by  a  promise  in  writing  to  remain  in  their  dwelling-houses 
ready  to  appear  on  demand  of  Council,  and  meanwhile  to  re- 
frain from  doing  any  thing  injurious  to  the  United  Free  States 
of  North  America,  by  speaking,  writing,  or  otherwise,  and  from 
giving  intelligence  to  the  Commander-in-chief  of  the  British 
forces,  or  any  other  person  whatever  concerning  public  affairs, 
you  dismiss  them  from  further  confinement  of  their  persons. 
But  if  such  engagement,  or  a  promise  equivalent  thereto,  can- 
not be  obtained,  we  desire  that  in  such  case  you  confine  the 
refusers,  together  with  the  others  to  whose  names  the  said  mark 
is  not  prefixed,  in  son)e  convenient  place,  under  a  guard,  with 
which  the  town  major.  Colonel  Nicola,  will  supply  you.  The 
Freemasons'  Lodge  may  perhaps  be  procured ;  it  would  serve 
as  well  as  any  other  place  for  this  purpose.  You  may  per- 
ceive that  Council  would  not  without  necessity  commit  many 
of  the  persons  to  the  common  jail  or  even  to  the  si  ate  prison. 


ADDRESS  TO  THE  INHABITANTS. 


91 


Resolved,  That  the  following  persons  be  appointed  and  au- 
thorized to  carry  into  execution  the  resolve  of  yesterday  respect- 
ing the  arresting  such  persons  as  are  deemed  ininnical  to  the 
cause  of  American  liberty,  viz. 

William  Bradford, 
William  Carson, 
Sharpe  Delany, 
William  Heysham, 
John  Downey, 
John  Purviance, 
John  Galloway, 
Joseph  Blower, 
John  Lisle, 
Paul  Coxe, 
James  Loughead, 
Adam  Kimmel, 
James  Cannon, 

together  with  such  persons  as  they  shall  call  to  their  assistance. 

George  Bryan,  Vice-President. 

The  power  of  search  must  necessarily  extend  to  the  opening 
of  locks. 

George  Bryan,  Vice-President. 
A  true  copy. 

William  Bradford. 

You  will  observe  that  the  President  and  Council,  who  know 
our  characters,  and  to  whom  (but  for  their  prejudice  and  want 
of  candour  in  this  instance),  we  could  have  appealed  for  the 
innocence  of  our  conduct  and  conversation,  have  not  under- 
taken to  charge  us  with  any  offence,  but  rely  as  a  founda- 
tion for  their  proceedings,  on  the  information  contained  in  a 
recommendation  of  Congress,  to  whom  the  greater  part  of  us 
are  scarcely  known  but  by  name,  and  who  must  have  formed 


Lazarus  Pine, 
James  Claypole, 
Captain  Burney, 
William  Graham, 
James  Kerr, 
William  Hardy, 
William  Tharpe, 
Charles  Wilson  Peale, 
Captain  M'Cullock, 
Nathaniel  Donnell, 
Robert  Smith, 
Thomas  Bradford, 


92 


EXILES  FROM  PENNSYLVANIA. 


the  hard  judgment  they  pronounced  against  us  unheard,  from 
reports  whispered  by  our  enemies. 

Can  any  thing  more  decisively  evidence  the  want  of  proof 
against  us,  and  the  injustice  of  the  insinuations,  than  this  stub- 
born incontrovertible  fact  1  We  have  demanded  as  a  matter 
of  right,  to  be  heard  before  both  those  bodies,  who  have 
hitherto  declined  it.  A  demand  reasonable  in  itself,  founded 
on  the  immutable  principles  of  equity,  and  warranted  by  the 
constitution  under  which  the  Council  derive  every  power  they 
claim. 

The  powers  granted  by  this  warrant  are  such,  as  in  any  free 
country,  where  the  laws  and  not  the  will  of  the  governors,  are 
the  standard  of  justice,  would  be  reprobated,  as  overturning 
every  security  that  men  can  rely  on.  Your  houses,  which  by 
the  law  of  the  land,  are  your  castles  against  invaders,  your 
chambers,  your  closets,  your  desks,  the  repositories  of  your 
deeds,  your  securities,  your  letters  of  business  or  friendship, 
and  other  domestic  concerns,  which  every  man  naturally  wishes 
to  keep  within  the  circle  of  his  own  family,  are  permitted  to 
be  broken,  searched,  exposed  to  the  prying  eye  of  malignant 
curiosity,  and  all  this  without  any  well-founded  cause  of  sus- 
picion. This  is  not  declamation,  nor  an  idle  apprehension  of 
imaginary  grievances,  but  a  true  representation  of  what  some 
of  us  have  experienced,  in  the  execution  of  this  unprecedented 
commission.  Nor  can  any  man  think  himself  safe,  from  the 
like,  or  perhaps  more  mischievous  effects,  if  a  precedent  of  so 
extraordinary  a  nature,  be  estabhshed  by  a  tame  acquiescence 
with  the  present  wrong. 

By  perusing  the  following  remonstrance,  made  to  the  Coun- 
cil, by  three  of  us,  you  will  find  that  application  was  made  for 
relief  from  our  oppressions. 

A  remonstrance  this  day  presented  to  the  President  and 
Council  by  the  hands  of  their  secretary. 

TO  THE  PRESIDENT  AND  COUNCIL  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

The  remonstrance  of  Israel  Pemberton,  John  Hunt,  and 
Samuel  Pleasants,  sheweth : 


ADDRESS  TO  THE  INHABITANTS. 


93 


That  Lewis  Nicola  is  about  to  deprive  us  of  our  liberty,  by 
an  order  from  you,  of  which  the  following  is  a  copy,  viz. : 

"  In  Council,  September  3d,  1777. 
"  Ordered,  that  Colonel  Nicola,  town  major,  do  take  a  pro- 
per guard  and  seize  Israel  Peiiiberton,  John  Hunt,  and  Samuel 
Pleasants,  and  conduct  them  to  the  Freemasons'  Lodge,  and 
there  confine  them  under  guard  till  further  orders." 

We  are  advised,  and  from  our  own  knowledge  of  our  rights 
and  privileges  as  freemen,  are  assured,  that  your  issuing  this 
order  is  arbitrary,  unjust,  and  illegal,  and  we  therefore  believe 
it  is  our  duty,  in  clear  and  express  terms,  to  remonstrate 
against  it. 

The  order  appears  to  be  arbitrary,  as  you  have  assumed  an 
authority  not  founded  on  law  or  reason,  to  deprive  us,  who  are 
peaceable  men,  and  have  never  borne  arms,  of  our  liberty,  by 
a  military  force,  when  you  might  have  directed  a  legal  course 
of  proceeding.  Unjust,  as  we  have  not  attempted,  nor  are 
charged  with  any  act  inconsistent  with  the  character  we  have 
steadily  maintained  as  good  citizens,  solicitous  to  promote  the 
real  interest  and  prosperity  of  our  country.  And  that  it  is  illegal, 
is  evident  from  the  perusal  and  consideration  of  the  constitution 
of  the  government  from  which  you  derive  all  your  authority 
and  power. 

We  therefore  claim  our  undoubted  right  as  freemen,  having  a 
just  sense  of  the  inestimable  value  of  religious  and  civil  liberty, 
to  be  heard,  before  we  are  confined  in  the  manner  directed 
by  the  said  order;  and  we  have  the  more  urgent  cause  for 
insisting  on  this  our  right,  as  several  of  our  fellow-citizens  have 
been  some  days,  and  are  now  confined  by  your  order,  and  no 
opportunity  is  given  them  to  be  heard  ;  and  we  have  been 
informed  that  it  is  your  purpose  to  send  them  and  us  into  a  dis- 
tant part  of  the  country,  even  beyond  the  limits  of  the  jurisdic- 
tion you  claim,  and  where  the  recoin-se  we  are  justly  and  law- 
fully entitled  to,  of  being  heard  and  of  clearing  ourselves  from 
any  charge  or  suspicions  you  may  entertain  respecting  us  will 
be  impracticable. 


94 


EXILES  FROM  PENNSYLVANIA. 


We  fervently  desire  you  may  be  so  wise  as  to  attend  to  the 
dictates  of  truth  and  justice  in  your  own  minds,  and  observe  the 
precepts  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  whom  you  profess  to  believe 
in — "  All  things  whatsoever  ye  would  that  men  should  do  to 
you,  do  you  even  so  unto  them,"  (Matthew  vii.  12,)  and  then 
we  have  no  doubt  you  will  comply  with  this  just  claim  we 
make,  which  will  be  duly  acknowledged  by  your  real  friends 
and  well-wishers. 

Israel  Pemberton, 
John  Hunt, 
Samuel  Pleasants. 

Philadelphia,  4th  of  9th  month,  1777. 

We,  the  subscribers,  attended  at  the  door  of  the  Council 
chamber,  and  made  application,  by  the  Secretary,  to  be  ad- 
mitted, in  order  to  deliver  our  remonstrance,  to  which  we 
could,  after  repeated  applications,  obtain  no  other  answer  than 
that  "  Council  had  issued  the  arrest  in  consequence  of  a  resolve 
of  Congress,  and  cannot  now  admit  you  to  be  heard." 

We  therefore  delivered  our  remonstrance  to  the  Secretary, 
and  waited  until  he  came  out  on  another  occasion,  and  told  us 

it  had  been  read  to  the  Council,  and  they  afterwards  pro- 
ceeded to  other  business  which  was  before  them."  Imme- 
diately after  which  we  were  conducted  by  Lewis  Nicola  to 
the  Freemasons'  Lodge,  where  we  are  now  confined,  with  a 
number  of  our  fellow-citizens,  with  whom  we  have  joined  in  a 
more  full  remonstrance  to  the  President  and  Council ;  and  this 
evening  William  Bradford  came  to  us,  and  read  to  us  a  letter 
of  which  the  following  is  a  copy,  viz. : 

Sir, 

Council  have  resolved  to  send  the  prisoners  now  confined  in 
the  Freemasons'  Lodge,  to  Staunton,  in  the  county  of  Au- 
gusta, in  the  state  of  Virginia,  there  to  be  secured  and  treated 
in  such  manner  as  shall  be  consistent  with  their  respective 
characters,  and  the  security  of  their  persons;  which  you  are 
requested  to  communicate  to  them,  and  inform  them  that  car- 


ADDRESS  TO  THE  INHABITANTS. 


95 


riages  will  be  provided  for  their  accommodation  on  the  journey, 
unless  they  choose  to  provide  themselves  therewith.  It  is  pro- 
posed they  go  off  Saturday  morning  next. 

I  am,  with  great  respect, 
Your  humble  servant, 

Timothy  Matlack, 
For  Col.  Wm.  Bradford.  Secretary. 

Thursday,  Sept.  dth,  1777. 

The  above  is  a  true  copy  of  the  letter  I  received  this  even- 
ing from  Timothy  Matlack. 

WiLLiAiHf  Bradford. 

By  the  letter  published  at  the  foot  of  it,  you  will  see  what  are 
the  ideas  of  justice  entertained  by  the  Council.  Instead  of  the 
required  hearing — to  avoid  such  application,  they  resolved  to 
banish  us  unheard,  into  an  obscure  corner  of  a  country  nearly 
three  hundred  miles  distant  from  our  parents,  our  wives,  our 
children,  our  dear  and  tender  connexions,  friends,  and  acquaint- 
ance, to  whom  we  owe,  and  from  whom  we  expect  protection, 
assistance,  comfort,  and  every  endearing  office,  to  a  country, 
where  the  President  and  Council  have  no  pretence  of  jurisdic- 
tion, from  whence  we  may  be  liable  to  be  further  banished. 

Before  the  receipt  of  that  letter,  we  had  prepared  and  sent 
the  following  remonstrance : 

to  the  president  and  council  of  PENNSYLVANIA. 

The  remonstrance  of  the   subscribers,  freemen   and  in- 
habitants of  the  city  of  Philadelphia,  now  confined  in  the  Free- 
masons' Lodge, 
Sheweth : 

That  the  subscribers  have  been  by  virtue  of  a  warrant 
signed  in  Council,  by  George  Bryan,  Vice-President,  arrested 
in  our  houses,  and  on  our  lawful  occasions,  and  conducted  to 
this  place,  where  we  have  been  kept  in  close  confinement, 
under  a  strong  military  guard,  two  or  more  days;  and  although 


96 


EXILES  FROM  PENNSYLVANIA. 


divers  of  us  demanded  of  the  messengers  who  arrested  us,  and 
insisted  on  having  copies  of  the  said  warrant,  yet  we  were  not 
able  to  procure  the  same  till  this  present  time,  but  have  re- 
mained here  unaccused  and  unheard. 

We  now  take  the  earliest  opportunity  of  laying  our  griev- 
ances before  your  body,  from  whom  we  apprehend  they  pro- 
ceed, and  of  claiming  to  ourselves  the  liberties  and  privileges 
10  wtiich  we  are  entitled,  by  the  fundamental  rules  of  justice — 
by  our  birthright  and  inheritance — by  the  laws  of  the  land — and 
by  the  express  provision  of  the  present  constitution,  under 
which  your  board  derives  their  power. 

We  apprehend  that  no  man  can  lawfully  be  deprived  of  his 
liberty  without  a  warrant  from  some  persons  having  competent 
authority,  specifying  an  offence  against  the  laws  of  the  land, 
supported  by  oath  or  affirmation  of  the  accuser,  and  limiiing 
tlie  time  of  his  imprisonment,  until  he  is  heard,  or  legally  dis- 
charged, unless  the  party  be  found  in  the  actual  perpetration 
of  a  crime.  Natural  justice,  equally  with  law,  declares  that 
the  party  accused  should  know  what  he  is  to  answer  to,  and 
have  an  opportunity  of  showing  his  innocence.  These  prin- 
ciples are  strongly  enforced  in  the  ninth  and  tenth  sections  of 
the  Declaration  of  Rights,  which  form  a  fundamental  and  in- 
violable part  of  the  Constitution  from  which  you  derive  your 
power,  wherein  it  is  declared — 

"  IX. — That  in  all  prosecutions  for  criminal  offences,  a  man 
hath  a  right  to  be  heard  by  himself  and  his  counsel,  to  demand 
the  cause  and  nature  of  his  accusation,  to  be  Cfinfronted  with 
the  witnesses,  to  call  for  evidence  in  his  favour,  and  a  speedy 
public  trial  by  an  impartial  jury  of  the  country,  without  the 
unanimous  consent  of  which  jury  he  cannot  be  found  guilty, 
nor  can  he  be  compelled  to  give  evidence  against  himself,  nor 
can  any  man  be  justly  deprived  of  his  liberty  except  by  the 
laws  of  the  land,  or  the  judgment  of  his  peers. 

"  X. — That  the  people  have  a  right  to  hold  themselves,  their 
houses,  papers,  and  possessions,  free  from  search  or  seizure,  and 
therefore  warrants  without  oaths  or  affirmations  first  made, 
affording  a  sufficient  foundation  for  them,  and  whereby  any 


ADDRESS  TO  THE  INHABITANTS. 


officer  or  messenger  may  be  commanded  or  required  to  search 
suspected  places,  or  to  seize  any  person  or  persons,  his  or 
their  property,  not  particularly  described,  are  contrary  to  that 
right,  and  ought  not  to  be  granted." 

How  far  these  principles  have  been  adhered  to  in  the  course 
of  this  business,  we  shall  go  on  to  show. 

Upon  the  examination  of  the  said  warrant,  we  find  it  is  in 
ail  respects  inadequate  to  these  descriptions;  altogether  un- 
precedented in  this  or  any  other  free  country,  both  in  its  sub- 
stance and  the  latitude  given  to  the  messengers  who  were  to 
execute  it,  and  wholly  subversive  of  the  very  constitution  you 
profess  to  support.  The  only  charge  on  which  it  is  founded, 
is  a  recommendation  of  Congress  to  apprehend  and  secure  all 
persons  who  in  their  general  conduct  and  conversation  have 
evidenced  a  disposition  inimical  to  the  cause  of  America,  and 
particularly  naming  some  of  us  ;  but  not  suggesting  the  least 
offence  to  have  been  committed  by  us. 

It  authorizes  the  messengers  to  search  all  papers  belonging 
to  us,  upon  a  bare  possibility  that  something  political  may  be 
found,  but  without  the  least  ground  for  a  suspicion  of  the  kind. 

It  requires  papers  relative  to  the  sufferings  of  the  people 
called  Quakers  to  be  seized,  without  limiting  the  search  to  any 
house  or  number  of  houses,  under  colour  of  which  every  house 
in  the  city  might  be  broken  open. 

To  the  persons  whom  the  Congress  have  thought  proper  to 
select,  the  warrant  adds  a  number  of  the  inhabitants  of  the 
city,  of  whom  some  of  us  are  part;  without  the  least  insinua- 
tion that  they  are  within  the  description  given  by  the  Congress 
in  their  recommendation. 

It  directs  all  these  matters  to  be  executed  (though  of  the 
highest  importance  to  the  liberties  of  the  people),  at  the  dis- 
cretion of  a  set  of  men  who  are  under  no  qualification  for  the 
due  execution  of  the  oiiice,  and  are  unaccustomed  to  the  forms 
of  executing  civil  process,  from  whence,  probably,  have  pro- 
ceeded the  excesses  and  irregularities  committed  by  some  of 
them,  in  divers  instances,  by  refusing  to  give  copies  of  the 

7 


98 


EXILES  FROM  PENNSYLVANIA. 


process  to  the  parties  arrested;  by  denying  some  of  us  a 
reasonable  time  to  consider  of  answers,  and  prepare  for  con- 
finement. In  the  absence  of  others,  by  breaking  our  desks  and 
other  private  repositories,  and  by  ransacking  and  carrying  off 
domestic  papers,  printed  books,  and  other  matters  not  within 
the  terms  of  the  warrant.  It  limits  no  time  for  the  duration  of 
our  imprisonment,  nor  points  at  any  hearing,  which  is  an  abso- 
lute requisite  to  make  a  legal  warrant,  but  confounds  in  one 
warrant  the  power  to  apprehend  and  the  authority  to  commit, 
without  interposing  a  judicial  officer  between  the  parties  and 
the  messenger. 

Upon  the  whole,  we  conceive  this  warrant  and  the  proceed- 
ings thereupon,  to  be  far  more  dangerous  in  its  tendency,  and  a 
more  flagrant  violation  of  every  right  which  is  dear  to  freemen, 
than  any  act  that  can  be  found  in  the  records  of  the  English 
Constitution. 

But,  when  we  consider  the  use  to  which  this  general  warrant 
has  been  applied,  and  the  persons  upon  whom  it  has  been 
executed,  {who  challenge  the  world  to  charge  them  with 
offence,)  it  becomes  of  too  great  magnitude  to  be  considered 
as  the  cause  of  a  few.  It  is  the  cause  of  every  inhabitant,  and 
may,  if  permitted  to  pass  into  a  precedent,  establish  a  system 
of  arbitrary  power,  unknown  but  in  the  Inquisition,  or  the 
despotic  courts  of  the  East. 

What  adds  further  to  the  alarming  stretch  of  power  is,  that 
we  are  informed  that  the  Vice-President  of  the  Council  has  de- 
clared to  one  of  the  magistrates  of  the  city,  who  called  on  him 
to  inquire  into  the  cause  of  our  confinement,  that  we  were  to 
be  sent  to  Virginia  unheard. 

Scarcely  could  we  believe  such  a  declaration  could  have 
been  made  by  a  person  who  fills  the  second  place  in  the  govern- 
ment, till  we  were  this  day  confirmed  in  the  melancholy  truth 
by  three  of  the  subscribers,  whom  you  absolutely  refused  to 
hear  in  person,  or  by  counsel.  We  would  remind  you  of  the 
complaints  urged  by  numbers  of  yourselves  against  the  Par- 
liament of  Great  Britain,  for  condemning  the  town  of  Boston 


ADDRESS  TO  THE  INHABITANTS. 


99 


unheard,  and  we  call  upon  you  to  reconcile  your  present  con- 
duct with  your  then  professions,  or  your  repeated  declarations 
in  favour  of  general  liberty. 

In  the  name  therefore  of  the  whole  body  of  the  freemen  of 
Pennsylvania,  whose  liberties  are  radically  struck  at  in  this 
arbitrary  imprisonment  of  us,  their  unoffending  fellow-citizens, 
we  demand  an  audience,  that  so  our  innocence  may  appear, 
and  persecution  give  place  to  justice.  But  if,  regardless  of 
every  sacred  obligation  by  which  men  are  bound  to  each  other 
in  society,  and  of  that  constitution  by  which  you  profess  to 
govern,  which  you  have  so  loudly  magnified  for  the  free  spirit 
it  breathes,  you  are  still  determined  to  proceed,  be  the  appeal 
to  the  righteous  Judge  of  all  the  earth,  for  the  integrity  of  our 
hearts,  and  the  unparalleled  tyranny  of  your  measures. 
James  Pemberton,  Henry  Drinker, 

Thomas  Wharton,  Phineas  Bond, 

Thomas  Combe,  Thomas  Gilpin, 

Edward  Pennington,  John  Pemberton, 

Thomas  Pike,  Thomas  Fisher, 

Owen  Jones,  jun.,  Miers  Fisher, 

Thomas  Affleck,  Charles  Eddy, 

Charles  Jervis,  Israel  Pemberton, 

William  Smith,  (broker,)         John  Hunt, 
William  Druit  Smith,  Samuel  Pleasants, 

Masons'  Lodg-e,  Philadelphia, 

September  4th,  1777. 

N.  B. — The  three  last  subscribers  were  first  attended  by 
some  of  those  who  executed  the  general  warrant;  but  after 
their  remonstrance  to  the  President  and  Council,  were  arrested 
by  Lewis  Nicola,  and  conducted  to  the  Lodge,  by  a  special 
order  to  him. 

The  foregoing  remonstrance  was  delivered  to  Thomas 
Wharton,  Jr.,  President,  &c.,  last  evening,  who  promised  to  lay 
it  before  Council,  and  send  an  answer  to  one  of  the  gentlemen, 
who  delivered  it  to  him  this  morning ;  but  no  answer  has  yet 
been  received. 

September  5th,  half-past  two  o'clock,  v.  m. 


100 


EXILES  FROM  FENNSTLVANIA. 


Thus  the  matter  rested  till  about  seven  o'clock  yesterday 
evening,  when  instead  of  returning  an  answer  to  our  repeated 
demand  of  an  hearing,  which  we  still  adhere  to  as  our  un- 
doubted right,  the  Secretary  of  the  Council  enclosed  to  William 
Bradford  a  copy  of  a  new  resolve,  desiring  him  to  acquaint 
us  with  it;  wherein,  without  the  least  mention  of  supporting 
their  insinuations  against  us,  they  shift  the  ground  on  which 
they  set  out,  and  propose  a  test  to  be  taken  by  us,  in  full  satis- 
faction of  all  their  suspicions. 

To  this  resolve  we  are  preparing  an  answer,  which  we  in- 
tend soon  to  lay  before  them  ;  and  in  the  mean  time,  we  beg 
you  will  avoid  the  being  influenced  by  any  anonymous  publica- 
tions, which  our  adversaries,  to  draw  our  attention  from  the 
immediate  object  before  us  may  utter  against  us,  filled  with 
falsehoods  and  misrepresentations,  which  it  is  apparent  the 
authors  would  never  have  published,  if  they  were  not  assured 
the  printers  would  conceal  their  names. 

Our  attention  is  now  engaged  in  a  most  important  struggle 
for  civil  and  religious  liberty ;  we  therefore  hope  you  will  not 
expect  us  to  waste  that  time  in  refuting  such  anonymous  per- 
formances, which  is  wholly  requisite  for  bringing  this  grand 
point  to  a  proper  conclusion.  We  cannot,  however,  wholly 
pass  by  a  publication  in  the  last  Evening's  Post,  calculated  to 
throw  an  odium  on  the  just  cause  in  which  we  are  suffering. 
It  is  represented  in  that  piece,  that  the  Quakers  are  the  prin- 
cipal objects  of  resentment,  and  the  cause  assigned  is  the 
issuing  "seditious  publications  called  testimonies,"  one  of  which 
they  assertejhas  been  unseasonably  published  at  two  critical 
periods. 

A  single  ray  of  Christian  charity  would  be  sufficient  to  show 
the  uncandid  construction  put  by  that  writer  upon  the  exercise 
of  those  religious  rights  secured  by  the  Constitution  to  every 
religious  society,  of  warning  and  admonishing  their  members 
to  avoid  every  thing  inconsistent  with  the  principles  they  hold. 
Ii  is  well  known,  that  at  both  the  times  hinted  at,  contending 
armies  were  endeavouring  within  the  circle  of  their  yearly 


ADDRESS  TO  THE  INHABITANTS. 


101 


meeting,  to  procure  all  persons  that  should  come  in  their  way 
to  join  them  in  military  preparations. 

The  testimony  of  the  Quakers  is  against  all  wars  and  fight- 
ing, and  against  entering  into  military  engagements  of  any 
kind  ;  surely  then,  it  was  the  right  of  the  representatives  of 
that  Society,  to  caution  their  members  from  engaging  in  any 
thing  contrary  to  their  religious  principles.  But  if  it  be  an 
offence  in  those  who  were  active  in  that  publication,  what  have 
those  of  us  done  who  are  not  members  of  that  Society,  who 
are  of  the  Church  of  England  (which  two  denominations 
comprehend  all  the  subscribers),  and  who  have  published  no 
testimonies  ? 

But  this  cannot  be  considered  by  the  writer  as  a  dangerous 
publication,  or  ichy  does  he  republish  it  in  the  present  critical 
situation  of  public  affairs  1  Surely  this  charge  is  a  mere  pretence 
to  vilify  a  respectable  body  of  the  inhabitants. 

Thus  we  have  furnished  you  with  a  calm  and  dispassionate 
account  of  our  present  circumstances,  and  we  wish  to  have  it 
considered  as  a  vindication  of  our  own  characters,  and  a 
peaceable  though  firm  assertion  of  the  inalienable  rights  of 
freemen. 

Difficulties  may  perhaps  await  us,  but  relying  on  the  assist- 
ance of  that  Almighty  Being  who  is  the  guardian  of  the 
innocent,  we  prepare  to  meet  them,  rather  than  endanger 
public  happiness  and  freedom,  by  a  voluntary  surrender  of 
those  rights  which  we  have  never  forfeited. 

Masons'  Lodge,  September  6th,  1777. 

Israel  Pemberton,  Phineas  Bond, 

John  Hunt,  Miers  Fisher, 

James  Pemberton,  Thomas  Fisher, 

Thomas  Wharton,  Samuel  R.  Fisher, 

John  Pemberton,  Thomas  Affleck, 

Thomas  Coombe,  Charles  Jervis, 

Edward  Pennington,  William  Smith,  (broker,) 

Henry  Drinker,  Thomas  Pike, 


102 


EXILES  FROM  PENNSYLVANIA. 


Samuel  Pleasants,  William  Druit  Smith, 

Thomas  Gilpin,  Elijah  Brown, 

Charles  Eddy,  Owen  Jones,  Jr. 

P.  S. — The  foregoing  address  was  prepared,  and  intended 
for  publication  in  the  Evening  Post  of  the  6th  instant ;  but 
before  we  thought  proper  to  deliver  it  to  the  printer,  we  chose 
to  have  some  conversation  with  him.  He  was  sent  for  and 
attended  us.  We  told  him  we  had  a  paper  to  publish  in  our  vin- 
dication, with  our  names  signed  ;  that  as  we  were  confined  on 
some  suspicions  unknown  to  us,  it  was  hard  we  should  be 
attacked  by  anonymous  writers  in  the  papers,  our  characters 
aspersed,  and  prejudices  excited  against  us,  when  we  were 
demanding  a  hearing,  which  ought  to  be  unbiassed  and  im- 
partial. We  therefore  required  of  him,  as  what  we  thought  a 
matter  of  right,  according  to  the  rules  of  every  impartial  free 
press,  that  he  would  refrain  from  publishing  hereafter  any 
anonymous  papers  reflecting  upon  us,  and  that  he  would 
acquaint  us  with  the  name  of  the  writer  of  two  paragraphs,  in 
the  then  last  Post,  highly  injurious  to  our  characters.  To  the 
former  he  gave  us  an  absolute  promise  to  adhere  ;  to  the  latter 
he  said  that  he  could  not  give  up  the  name  without  the  writer's 
consent ;  that  he  would  go  to  him  and  return  with  his  answer 
as  soon  as  he  could,  at  the  same  time  promised  that  if  we  desired 
it  he  would  insert  our  address  in  the  Post  of  that  evening, 
though  it  would  delay  its  appearance  till  some  time  the  next  day. 
He  went  away,  and  we  have  not  since  heard  from  him.  Hence 
we  conclude  the  writer  is  ashamed  to  avow  the  performance. 

We  now  lay  before  you  a  remonstrance  presented  to  Con- 
gress by  eight  of  us,  who  were  selected  by  them,  and  recom- 
mended to  the  Council  as  dangerous  men,  who  ought  to  be 
secured,  the  rest  of  us  being  named  by  the  Council  themselves, 
and  included  together  with  them  in  the  general  warrant. 


ADDRESS  TO  THE  INHABITANTS. 


103 


TO  THE  CONGRESS. 

The  remonstrance  of  the  subscribers,  citizens  of  Philadel- 
phia, shewelh  : 

That  we  are  confined  by  a  military  guard,  having  been 
arrested  and  deprived  of  our  liberty,  by  order  of  the  President 
and  Council  of  Pennsylvania,  in  consequence  of  a  resolve  made 
by  you,  on  the  28th  day  of  the  last  month,  "  recommending  to 
the  executive  powers  of  the  several  states,  to  apprehend  and 
secure  all  persons  who  have  in  their  general  conduct  and  con- 
versation evidenced  a  disposition  inimical  to  the  cause  of 
America,"  and  particularly  naming  us,  the  subscribers,  "  to- 
gether with  all  such  papers,  in  our  possession,  as  may  be  of  a 
political  nature;"  the  copy  of  which  resolve  we  could  not 
obtain  till  yesterday  afternoon. 

Conscious  of  our  innocence,  and  that  we  have  ministered  no 
just  occasion  to  have  our  characters  thus  traduced,  and  in- 
juriously treated,  we  have  remonstrated  to  the  said  President 
and  Council,  against  their  arbitrary,  unjust,  and  illegal  pro- 
ceedings against  us,  and  demanded  our  undoubted  right  of 
being  heard  by  them  ;  knowing  we  can  manifest  the  falsehood 
and  injustice  of  any  injurious  charge,  or  suspicions,  they  or 
you  may  entertain  concerning  us;  but  we  are  denied  the  oppor- 
tunity of  such  a  hearing,  and  were  last  evening  informed,  by 
their  order,  that  they  have  resolved  to  send  us  to  Staunton,  in 
the  county  of  Augusta,  in  Virginia,  to  be  secured  there;  and 
we  are  now  told  that  place  is  appointed  by  you,  for  our  con- 
finement. 

We  therefore,  by  our  love  to  our  country,  whose  true  interest 
and  prosperity  we  have  steadily  pursued,  through  the  course  of 
our  conduct  and  conversations,  and  in  justice  to  our  characters, 
as  freemen  and  Christians,  with  that  freedom  and  resolution 
which  influences  men  conscious  of  being  void  of  just  cause  of 
offence,  are  bound  to  remonstrate  against  your  arbitrary,  unjust, 
and  cruel  treatment  of  us,  our  characters  and  families,  and 


104 


EXILES  FROM  PENNSYLVANIA. 


against  the  course  of  proceeding  you  have  chose  and  pre- 
scribed ;  by  which  the  liberty,  property,  and  character  ot 
every  freeman  in  America  is  or  may  be  endangered.  Most  of 
you  are  not  personally  known  to  us,  nor  are  we  to  you ;  and 
few  of  you  have  had  the  opportunity  of  conversing  with  any 
of  us,  or  of  knowing  any  thing  more  of  our  conduct  and  con- 
versation than  what  you  have  received  from  others  ;  and  thus 
we  are  subjected  to  the  unjust  suspicions  you  have  entertained 
from  the  uncertain  reports  of  our  adversaries,  and  are  con- 
demned unheard,  to  be  deprived  of  our  most  endearing  con- 
nexions, and  temporal  enjoyments,  when  our  personal  care  of 
them  is  most  immediately  necessary. 

We  are  therefore  engaged  in  the  most  solemn  manner,  to 
call  upon  and  entreat  you,  to  reconsider  the  course  of  your 
proceedings  respecting  us  ;  and  either  by  yourselves  or  the  said 
President  and  Council,  to  give  us  the  opportunity  of  a  hearing 
and  answering  to  every  matter  suggested  to,  and  entertained 
by  you  or  them,  against  us;  being  assured  we  shall  appear 
to  be  true  friends  to,  and  anxiously  solicitous  for  the  prosperity 
of  America,  on  the  principles  of  justice  and  liberty ;  and 
though  we  are  clearly  convinced,  from  the  precepts  of  Christ, 
the  doctrine  of  his  Apostles,  and  the  example  of  his  followers 
in  the  primitive  ages  of  Christianity,  that  all  outward  wars  and 
fightings  are  unlawful,  and  therefore  cannot  join  therein  for  any 
cause  whatever,  we  cannot  but  remind  you  that  we  are  by 
the  same  principles  restrained  from  pursuing  any  measures  in- 
consistent with  the  apostolic  advice,  "  to  live  peaceably  with 
all  men,"  under  whatever  powers  it  is  our  lot  to  live,  which 
rule  of  conduct  we  are  determined  to  observe,  whatever  you, 
or  any  others,  may  determine  concerning  us. 

Your  characters,  in  the  conspicuous  station  you  stand,  and 
the  regard  due  to  the  liberties,  properties,  and  even  the  lives  of 
those  who  are,  or  may  be  affected  by  the  course  of  your  pro- 
ceedings, so  loudly  proclaim  the  justice  of  our  demand  of  a 
hearing,  that  if  more  time  remained  for  it,  we  judge  further 
reasoning  unnecessary,  beseeching  you  to  remember  that  we 


ADDRESS  TO  THE  INHABITANTS. 


105 


are  all  to  appear  before  the  tribunal  of  Divine  Justice,  there  to 
render  an  account  of  our  actions,  and  to  receive  a  reward 
according  as  our  works  have  been.  And  we  sincerely  desire 
for  you,  as  we  do  for  ourselves,  that  we  may  all  so  direct  our 
course,  that  we  may  at  that  tribunal  receive  the  answer  of 
"  well  done,"  and  enjoy  the  reward  of  eternal  peace  and  hap- 
piness. 

We  are  your  real  friends, 
Israel  Pemberton,  Henry  Drinker, 

James  Pemberton,  Thomas  Fisher, 

John  Pemberton,  Samuel  Pleasants, 

Thomas  Wharton,  Samuel  R.  Fisher. 

Philadelphia,  5th  of  9th  month,  1777,  Lodge  Alley. 

We  have  seen  the  resolves  of  Congress  published  in  the 
Evening  Post,  of  which  we  shall  take  due  notice,  and  also  the 
papers  published  by  order  of  Congress,  in  a  supplement  to  the 
Pennsylvania  Packet.  As  they  are  particularly  pointed  at  a 
religious  society  who  are  capable  of  answering  for  their  own 
conduct,  we  shall  leave  it  to  them  to  confute  the  insinuations 
contained  in  some  parts  of  that  publication,  which  some  of  us 
know  they  are  able  to  do. 

We  also  think  it  our  duty  to  acquaint  you,  that  Alexander 
Stedman  and  Charles  Sledman,  jun.,  who  are  included  in  the 
general  warrant,  were  apprehended  and  brought  here  with  us ; 
but  in  a  few  hours  they  were  carried  under  guard  to  the  New 
Prison,  where  we  are  informed  they  yet  remain,  as  much 
neglected  by  their  accusers  as  we  have  been. 

N.  B.  Seven  o'clock,  p.  m. — We  presented  another  remon- 
strance to  the  President  and  Council  this  day,  to  which  we 
have  received  an  answer,  both  which  we  shall  endeavour  to 
hand  to  the  public  to-morrow. 

Masons'  Lodge,  September  9,  1777. 

We  now  lay  before  you  the  papers  referred  to  in  our  note  of 
last  evening,  together  with  a  copy  of  a  letter  received  by  Dr. 


106 


EXILES  FROM  PENNSYLVANIA. 


Hutchinson,  informing  us  of  the  result  of  Council  upon  the  last 
remonstrance. 

Copy  of  a  letter  from  Timothy  Matlack  to  William  Bradford. 

Philadelphia,  September  5th,  1777. 

Sir, 

A  remonstrance,  signed  by  the  gentlemen  confined  at  the 
Masons'  Lodge,  having  been  presented  to  Council  and  read, 
the  Council  took  the  same  into  consideration,  and  asked  the 
advice  of  Congress  thereupon,  which  being  received,  Council 
thereupon  passed  the  following  resolve,  which  they  beg  the 
favour  of  you  to  communicate  to  the  aforesaid  gentlemen. 

In  Council,  Philadelphia,  September  5th,  1777. 

Resolved,  That  such  of  the  persons  now  confined  in  the 
Lodge,  as  shall  take  and  subscribe  the  oath  or  affirmation  re- 
quired by  law,  in  this  commonwealth,  or  that  shall  take  and 
subscribe  the  following  oath  or  affirmation,  to  wit: 

I  do  swear  (or  affirm),  that  I  will  be  faithful  and  bear  true 
allegiance  to  the  Commonwealth  of  Pennsylvania,  as  a  free 
and  independent  state,"  shall  be  discharged. 

I  am  respectfully,  your  very  humble  servant, 

Timothy  Matlack, 

Secretary. 

To  Colonel  William  Bradford. 

N.  B. — This  letter  was  delivered  to  Mr.  Bradford,  as  the 
answer  of  Council  to  the  second  remonstrance. 

Copy  of  a  third  remonstrance,  presented  to  the  President 
and  Council  yesterday,  by  the  hands  of  Samuel  Rhoads,  and 
Dr.  Hutchinson. 


ADDRESS  TO  THE  INHABITANTS. 


107 


Philadelphia,  8th  September,  1777. 

TO  THE  PRESIDENT  AND  COUNCIL  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

The  remonstrance  of  the  subscribers,  freemen  and  inhabi- 
tants of  the  City  of  Philadelphia,  now  confined  in  the  Masons' 
Lodge,  sheweth : 

That  it  is  with  pain,  we  find  ourselves  under  the  disagreeable 
necessity  of  again  remonstrating  against  your  extraordinary 
mode  of  treating  us.  When  our  last  remonstance  was  de- 
livered to  your  President,  he  gave  expectation  to  our  fellow- 
citizens  who  waited  on  him,  that  he  would  lay  it  before  you, 
and  return  an  answer.  Notwithstanding  which,  we  have  as 
yet  received  no  answer  whatsoever  to  it,  but  instead  thereof,  a 
paper  signed  by  your  Secretary,  was  delivered  to  us  by  William 
Bradford,  the  contents  of  which  we  shall  have  occasion  to  re- 
mark on. 

But  we  must  not  omit  another  letter  received  through  the 
same  channel,  by  which  we  are  confirmed  in  the  truth  of  what 
we  had  before  heard,  that  on  the  very  day  you  were  addressed 
by  three  of  us  to  be  heard,  and  before  we  were  furnished  with 
a  copy  of  the  general  warrant,  you  had  resolved  to  banish  us 
to  Staunton,  in  the  county  of  Augusta,  in  Virginia,  a  place 
where  you  claim  no  jurisdiction,  and  to  which  we  are  utter 
strangers.  This  resolution  formed  against  a  body  of  innocent 
freemen,  while  demanding  to  be  heard,  is,  we  believe,  the  first 
instance  of  the  kind  to  be  found  in  the  history  of  our  country; 
and  besides  the  violent  infringement  of  the  laws  and  constitu- 
tion which  you  have  engaged  to  govern  by,  the  hardship  is 
heightened  by  the  particular  situation  of  that  country  at  this 
time;  as  it  is  publicly  asserted  that  ihe  Indians  have  already 
commenced  hostilities  upon  the  frontiers  of  Virginia,  not  very 
far  distant  from  the  place  of  our  intended  banishment,  as  though 
you  could  find  no  place  of  security  without  endangering  our 
lives. 

From  the  professions  you  have  repeatedly  made  of  your  love 
of  liberty  and  justice,  and  the  manner  in  which  we  have  de- 


108 


EXILES  FROM  PENNSYLVANIA. 


manded  our  undoubted  rights,  we  had  reason  to  expect  to  have 
heard  from  you  on  the  subject  of  our  last  remonstrance;  but 
we  find  we  were  mistaken,  and  the  complaints  of  injured  free- 
men still  remain  unanswered. 

Whether  you  imagine  we  are  of  too  little  consequence  to  be 
regarded,  or  expect  that  confinement  will  reduce  us  to  a  tame 
acquiescence  with  your  arbitrary  proceedings,  we  shall  not  de- 
termine; it  will  not  divert  our  attention  from  the  important 
object  we  have  in  view  in  behalf  of  ourselves  and  our  country. 
Nor  will  subtle  proposals,  fit  only  to  captivate  the  unwary,  de- 
coy us  from  the  sure  ground  on  which  we  stand,  into  a  measure 
as  illegal  and  unconstitutional  as  your  general  warrant,  and 
our  oppressive  treatment  under  it. 

The  proposition  contained  in  your  resolve  of  the  5th  inst.,  to 
discharge  us  upon  taking  the  test  "  required  by  law,"  or  the 
new  test  framed  by  yourselves,  now  demand  our  notice. 

And  firsi  we  would  observe,  that  if  you  had  a  right  to  make 
such  a  proposition,  we  think  it  very  improper  to  he  made  to 
men  in  our  situation.  You  have  first  deprived  us  of  our  liberty, 
on  one  pretence,  which  finding  you  are  not  able  to  justify,  you 
waive,  and  require  as  a  condition  of  our  enlargement,  that  we 
should  confess  ourselves  men  of  suspicious  characters,  by  doing 
what  ought  not  to  be  expected  from  innocent  persons.  This 
kind  of  procedure  is  not  new  in  history ;  for  though  the  great 
patriots  of  the  Revolution  found  better  expedients  for  the  secu- 
rity of  their  government  than  what  arises  from  oaths  of  abjura- 
tion, yet  the  annals,  both  of  Old  and  New  England,  are  stained 
with  accounts  of  men,  in  circumstances  similar  to  our  own, 
dragged  before  magistrates,  on  the  bare  suspicion  of  crimes ; 
of  whom  tests,  which  they  conscientiously  scrupled  to  take, 
have  been  afterwards  demanded,  as  the  condition  of  their  en- 
largement. But  such  examples,  we  should  hope,  would  not 
have  found  patrons  among  men  professing  to  be  reformers  upon 
all  the  plans  of  civil  and  religious  liberty,  adopted  by  the  free 
nations  of  Europe. 

It  is  strange  to  us,  that  men  entrusted  with  supreme  execu- 


ADDRESS  TO  THE  INHABITANTS. 


109 


tive  powers,  should  be  so  regardless  of  the  laws  you  have  most 
solemnly  engaged  to  execute,  as  to  require  us  to  do  more  than 
those  very  laws  enjoin.  By  the  Test  Act,  every  inhabitant 
may  take  the  test,  and  enjoy  all  the  rights  of  freemen,  or  de- 
cline it,  and  submit  to  a  deprivation  of  some  of  them,  which 
are  expressed  in  that  act;  but  no  power  is  given  to  any 
officer  of  justice  whatsoever,  to  lender  it  to  any  person  except 
in  particular  circumstances,  and  as  the  charge  against  us  is 
not  founded  on  a  breach  of  that  law,  it  is  evident  you  exceeded 
your  authority  in  putting  it  to  us.  But  if  after  what  is  past,  we 
could  be  surprised  at  any  thing  you  do,  we  should  have  been 
astonished  at  the  rapid  progress  of  your  usurpation  in  assuming 
legislative  powers  to  yourselves,  while  the  Assembly  was 
sitting  under  the  same  roof.  You  have  overturned  the  only 
security  the  Constitution  has  given  the  people  against  absolute 
despotism,  by  attempting  to  exercise  the  authority  of  framing 
a  resolve  operating  as  a  law  at  the  same  time  the  powers  of 
executing  it. 

Your  duty  as  one  branch  of  the  Constitution,  is  confined  to 
the  executing  the  laws  as  you  find  them,  and  does  not  extend 
to  the  making  new  ones  to  salve  your  own  irregular  conduct. 
You  have  undertaken  all  this  by  proposing  a  new  test  of  your 
own  enacting,  unknown  to  the  laws  and  constitution  of  the 
government  which  you  are  to  execute,  unsupported  by  any 
authority  under  which  you  act;  and  this  an  ex  post  facto  law 
made  to  criminate  by  a  refusal  those  who  before  were  innocent. 
And  if  we  were  in  your  opinion  such  dangerous  persons,  as 
you,  under  the  sanction  of  the  Congress,  have  endeavoured  to 
represent  us,  and  could  not  be  secured  without  sending  us  to 
so  remote  and  dangerous  a  part  of  the  country,  beyond  the 
limits  of  your  jurisdiction,  how  will  the  public  be  secured  by 
our  taking  either  of  the  tests  you  have  proposed  ?  That  men 
of  bad  principles  will  submit  to  any  tests  to  cover  their  dan- 
gerous and  wicked  purposes,  is  evident  to  all  who  have  been 
conversant  in  public  affairs. 

The  great  Lord  Halifax,  who  in  the  name  of  the  people  of 


110 


EXILES  FROM  PENNSYLVANIA. 


England  presented  the  crown  to  King  William  and  Queen 
Mary  at  the  Revolution,  has  expressed  himself  on  this  subject, 
in  the  following  nervous  terms  :  "  As  there  is  no  real  security 
to  any  state  by  oaths,  so  no  private  person,  much  less  states- 
man, would  ever  order  his  affairs  as  relying  on  it ;  for  no  man 
would  ever  sleep  wiih  open  doors,  or  unlocked  up  treasure  or 
plate,  should  all  the  town  be  sworn  not  to  rob." 

Another  most  extraordinary  proceeding  we  find  in  your 
Secretary's  letter,  where  he  says,  that  you  asked,  and  received 
the  advice  of  Congress  upon  our  remonstrance,  before  you  de- 
termined upon  it.  What !  shall  unaccused  citizens,  demand- 
ing their  inherent  rights,  be  delayed  or  refused  a  hearing  until 
Congress  can  be  consulted  ?  A  body,  who  have  engaged  not 
to  interfere  in  the  internal  police  of  the  government.  Perhaps 
you  thought  the  authority  of  a  recommendation  from  Congress 
would  render  your  arbitrary  designs  effectual,  and  countenance 
you  in  the  eyes  of  the  people.  We  trust  you  will  be  mistaken, 
and  that  neither  Congress  nor  the  people  will  approve  your 
measures. 

Having  thus  remarked  on  your  proposal,  protesting  our  in- 
nocence, we  again  repeat  our  pressing  demand,  to  be  informed 
of  the  cause  of  our  commitment,  and  to  have  a  hearing  in  the 
face  of  our  country,  before  whom  we  shall  either  stand  acquitted 
or  condemned. 


Israel  Pemberton, 
Jan)es  Pemberton, 
John  Hunt, 
Thomas  Wharton, 
Thomas  Coombe, 
Edward  Pennington, 
John  Pemberton, 
Henry  Drinker, 
Phineas  Bond, 
Thomas  Affleck, 
Owen  Jones,  jun.. 


William  Drewet  Smith, 
Samuel  Pleasants, 
William  Smith,  (broker,) 
Charles  Jervis, 
Thomas  Pike, 
Thomas  Gilpin, 
Samuel  R.  Fisher, 
Thomas  Fisher, 
Elijah  Brown, 
Miers  Fisher, 
Charles  Eddy. 


ADDRESS  TO  THE  INHABITANTS. 


Ill 


Philadelphia,  September  8th,  1777. 

"  Sir,— 

The  remonstrance  delivered  by  you  and  Samuel  Rhoads, 
Esq.,  to  me,  has  been  read  in  Council,  and  I  am  directed  to 
acquaint  you,  that  the  business  to  which  this  remonstrance  re- 
lates, is  referred  to  Congress. 

I  am,  with  great  respect,  your  humble  servant, 

T.  Matlack, 
Secretary. 

To  Doctor  Hutchinson,  (Present.)" 


Masons'  Lodge,  September  9,  1777,  10  o'clock,  p.  m. 

TO  THE  INHABITANTS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

The  following  is  a  copy  of  a  paper  we  received  at  half-past 
four  o'clock  this  afternoon,  and  we  have  since  received  orders 
to  prepare  for  our  banishment  to-morrow. 


"IN  COUNCIL. 


Resolved,  That 

James  Pemberton, 

Henry  Drinker, 

Israel  Pemberton, 

John  Pemberton, 

Samuel  Pleasants, 

Thomas  Wharton,  sen., 

Thomas  Fisher,  (son  of  Joshua,) 

Samuel  Fisher,  (son  of  Joshua,) 

Miers  Fisher, 

Elijah  Brown, 

John  Hunt, 


Philadelphia,  September  9th,  1777. 

Phineas  Bond, 
Rev  Thomas  Coombe, 
Charles  Jervis, 
William  Drewet  Smith, 
Charles  Eddy. 
Thomas  Pike, 
Owen  Jones,  jun., 
Edward  Pennington, 
William  Smith, 
Thomas  Gilpin,  and 
Thomas  Affleck, 


apprehended  by  Council,  as  persons  who  have  uniformly 
manifested,  by  their  general  conduct  and  conversation,  a  dispo- 
sition highly  inimical  to  the  cause  of  America,  and  now  im- 


112 


EXILES  FROM  PENNSYLVANIA. 


prisoned  in  the  Freemason's  Lodge  in  tliis  city,  they  refusing 
to  confine  themselves  to  their  several  dwellings,  and  thereby 
making  the  restraint  of  their  persons  in  another  manner  neces- 
sary; and  having  refused  to  promise  to  refrain  from  corre- 
sponding with  the  enemy  ;  and  also  declined  giving  any  assu- 
rance of  allegiance  to  this  State,  as  of  right  they  ought ;  do 
thereby  renounce  all  the  privileges  of  citizenship;  and  that  it 
appears  they  consider  themselves  the  subjects  of  the  King  of 
Great  Britain,  the  enemy  of  this  and  the  other  United  States  of 
America,  and  that  they  ought  to  be  proceeded  with  accord- 
ingly- 

"  Resolved,  That  persons  of  like  characters,  and  in  emer- 
gencies equal  to  the  present,  when  the  enemy  is  at  our  doors, 
have  in  the  other  States  been  arrested  and  secured  upon  sus- 
picions arising  from  their  general  behaviour,  and  refusal  to 
acknowledge  their  allegiance  to  the  States  of  which  they  were 
the  proper  subjects ;  and  that  such  proceedings  may  be  abun- 
dantly justified  by  the  conduct  of  the  freest  nations,  and  the 
authority  of  the  most  judicious  civilians.  Therefore, 

"  Resolved,  That  the  persons  whose  names  are  mentioned 
above  be,  without  further  delay,  removed  to  Staunton,  in  Vir- 
ginia, there  to  be  treated  according  to  their  characters  and 
stations,  as  far  as  may  be  consistent  with  the  securing  of  their 
persons.  Also, 

"  Resolved,  That  Wm.  Imlay,  said  to  be  a  subject  of  the 
state  of  New  York,  having  behaved  in  like  manner  as  the  per- 
sons above  mentioned,  and  in  particular  declined  to  give  assu- 
rance of  allegiance  to  the  state  of  New  York,  be  removed  and 
secured  with  the  rest. 

*'  Ordered,  That  Colonel  Nicola,  the  town  major,  secure  the 
prisoners  above-named  now  in  the  Masons'  Lodge,  and  assist 
in  removing  them  out  of  the  city. 
"  Extract  from  the  minutes. 

"  T.  Matlack, 

"  Secretary." 


ADDRESS  TO  THE  INHABITANTS. 


113 


As  we  consider  this  to  be  the  highest  act  of  tyranny  that  has 
been  exercised  in  any  age  or  country,  where  the  shadow  of 
liberty  was  left,  we  have  in  the  following  manner  entered  our 
protest  against  these  proceedings. 

PROTEST. 

9tli  September,  1777. 

TO  THE  PRESIDENT  AND  COUNCIL  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

The  remonstrance  and  protest  of  the  subscribers,  sheweth  : 

That  your  resolve  of  this  day  was  this  afternoon  delivered; 
to  us,  which  is  the  more  unexpected,  as  last  evening  your  Se- 
cretary informed  us  you  had  referred  our  business  to  Congress, 
to  whom  we  were  about  further  to  apply. 

In  this  resolve,  contrary  to  the  inherent  rights  of  mankind, 
you  conden)n  us  to  banishment  unheard. 

You  determine  matters  concerning  us,  which  we  could  have 
disproved,  had  our  right  to  a  hearing  been  granted. 

The  charge  against  us  of  refusing  "  to  promise  to  refrain 
from  corresponding  with  the  enemy,"  insinuates  that  we  have 
already  held  such  correspondence,  which  we  utterly  and  so- 
lemnly deny. 

The  tests  you  proposed,  we  were  by  no  law  bound  to  sub- 
scribe, and  notwithstanding  our  refusing  them,  we  are  still 
justly  and  lawfully  entitled  to  all  the  rights  of  citizenship,  of 
which  you  are  attempting  to  deprive  us. 

We  have  never  been  suffered  to  come  before  you  to  evince 
our  innocence,  and  remove  suspicions  which  you  have  laboured 
to  instil  into  the  minds  of  others,  and  at  the  same  time  knew 
to  be  groundless,  although  Congress  recommended  it  to  you  to 
give  us  a  hearing,  and  your  President  this  morning  assured 
two  of  our  friends  we  should  ha  it. 

In  vindication  of  our  characters,  we  who  are  of  the  people 
called  Quakers,  are  free  to  declare,  that, 

Although  at  the  time  many  of  our  forefathers  were  con- 
vinced of  the  truth,  which  we  their  descendants  now  profess, 
great  fluctuations  and  various  changes  and  turnings  happened 

8 


114 


EXILES  FROM  PENNSYLVANIA. 


in  government,  and  they  were  greatly  vilified  and  persecuted 
for  a  firm  and  steady  adherence  to  their  peaceable  and  inoflTen- 
sive  principles,  yet  they  were  preserved  from  any  thing  tending 
to  promote  insurrections,  conspiracies,  or  the  shedding  of 
blood  ;  and  during  the  troubles  which  by  permission  of  Divine 
Providence  have  latterly  prevailed,  we  have  steadily  main- 
tained our  religious  principles  in  these  respects,  and  have  not 
held  any  correspondence  with  the  contending  parties,  as  is  un- 
justly insinuated,  but  are  withheld  and  restrained  from  being 
concerned  in  such  matters,  by  that  divine  principle  of  grace 
^lnd  truth  which  we  profess  to  be  our  guide  and  rule  through 
life.  This  is  of  more  force  and  obligation  than  all  the  tests 
and  declarations  devised  by  men. 

And  we  who  are  of  the  Church  of  England,  are  free  to  de- 
clare to  you  and  to  the  world,  that  we  never  have  at  any  time 
during  the  present  controversy,  either  directly  or  indirectly, 
communicated  any  intelligence  whatever  to  the  Commander 
of  the  British  forces,  or  any  other  person  concerned  in  public 
affairs."  And  with  the  same  cheerfulness  we  would  have  en- 
gacfed  not  to  hold  any  such  correspondence  in  future,  had  not 
the  requisition  been  coupled  with  ignominious  and  illegal  re- 
strictions, subjecting  us  to  become  prisoners  within  the  walls 
of  our  own  dwellings,  and  to  surrender  ourselves  to  the  Presi- 
dent and  Council  on  demand.  This  the  clear  consciousness  of 
our  own  innocence  absolutely  forbade  us  to  accede  to. 

Upon  the  whole,  your  proceedings  have  been  so  arbitrary 
that  words  are  wanting  to  express  our  sense  of  them.  We  do 
therefore,  as  the  last  office  we  expect  you  will  now  suffer  us  to 
perform  for  the  benefit  of  our  country,  in  behalf  of  ourselves 
and  those  freemen  of  Pennsylvania  who  have  any  regard  for 
libertv,  solemnly  remonstrate  and  protest  against  your  whole 
conduct  in  this  unreasonable  excess  of  power  exercised  by  you. 

That  the  evil  and  destructive  spirit  of  pride,  ambition,  and 
arbitrary  power,  with  which  you  have  been  actuated,  may 
cease  and  be  no  more  :  "  and  that  peace  on  earth,  and  good  will 
to  men"  may  happily  take  the  place  thereof  in  your  and  all 


SENT  TO  VIRGINIA. 


115 


men's  minds,  is  the  sincere  desire  of  your  oppressed  and  in- 
jured fellow-citizens. 

Israel  Pemberton,  Owen  Jones,  .Tr. 

John  Hunt,  Thomas  Gilpin, 

James  Pemberton,  Charles  Jervis, 

John  Pemberton,  Phineas  Bond, 

Thomas  Wharton,  Thomas  Affleck, 

Edward  Pennington,  William  Drewit  Smith, 

Thomas  Coombe,  Thomas  Pike, 

Henry  Drinker,  William  Smith,  (broker,) 

Thomas  Fisher,  Elijah  Brown, 

Samuel  Pleasants,  Charles  Eddy, 

Samuel  R.  Fisher,  Miers  Fisher. 


As  it  has  appeared  proper  to  put  the  pamphlet  on  these  minutes 
in  the  manner  it  was  printed  and  handed  to  the  public,  the 
daily  narrative  has  been  somewhat  interrupted,  and  when  re- 
sumed according  to  the  diary,  there  will  appear  to  be  a  repeti- 
tion of  some  of  the  addresses,  but  this  occurs  only  at  this  part 
of  the  narrative ;  many  of  the  events  having  to  be  alluded  to 
both  in  the  memorials  and  in  the  minutes. 

When  the  remonstrances  to  the  Congress  of  the  United  States, 
and  to  the  Council  of  Pennsylvania,  are  mentioned  in  the 
journal  of  the  company,  and  not  written  out  at  length,  they 
will  be  found  in  the  pamphlet,  by  reference  to  the  pages. 

On  the  6th  of  September,  1777,  there  was  brought  to  us  a 
copy  of  a  remonstrance,  which  had  been  presented  to  the 
President  and  Council  on  our  behalf,  signed  by  one  hundred 
and  thirteen  Friends,  which  it  is  proper  to  insert  on  the  Journal 
of  our  transactions,  viz. : 

Philadelphia,  5th  of  9th  month,  1777. 
TO  THE  PRESIDENT  AND  COUNCIL  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

A  number  of  our  friends  and  fellow-citizens  have  been  de- 
prived of  their  liberty  and  taken  from  their  families  into  a 


116 


EXILES  FROM  PENNSYLVANIA. 


place  of  confinement,  by  your  warrant,  and  denied  the  just  and 
reasonable  request  of  being  heard,  and  since  ordered  to  be  re- 
moved to  a  distant  part  of  Virginia, — a  proceeding  which  not 
only  artects  the  persons  immediately  concerned,  but  is  an 
alarming  violation  of  the  civil  and  religious  rights  of  the  com- 
munity. 

We  therefore  think  it  our  duty  to  our  said  friends,  to  our- 
selves, to  our  country,  and  to  mankind  in  general,  to  remon- 
strate against  such  conduct,  which  we  conceive  no  plea  of 
necessity  can  justify,  lest  by  our  silence  on  this  very  interest- 
ing occasion,  it  should  be  understood  that  we  acquiesced 
therein. 

We  earnestly  wish  you  to  consider  this  matter  in  a  solid, 
religious  way,  and  in  the  fear  of  God,  whom  we  profess  to 
serve  in  the  Gospel  of  his  Son,  at  whose  judgment  seat  we 
shall  all  ere  long  appear,  and  thai  we  may  all  be  prepared  for 
this  awful  period,  is  the  real  desire  of  your  sincere  friends. 


Townsend  Speakman, 

Samuel  Bettle, 

Samuel  Lobdell, 

Charles  Logan, 

John  Townsend, 

Thomas  Eddy, 

Amos  Taylor, 

Samuel  Coates, 

Isaac  Forster, 

Roger  Bowman, 

Elias  Dawson, 

Thomas  Wishart, 

Caleb  Carmalt, 

Richard  Wells, 

Isaac  Faxon, 

James  Bringhurst, 

Daniel  Dawson, 

Daniel  Drinker, 

Josiah  Coates, 

Ebenezer  Robinson, 

Thomas  Norton, 

Caleb  Atmore, 

Caleb  Offley, 

James  Starr, 

Samuel  Taylor, 

Benedict  Dorsey, 

Stephen  Maxwell, 

Joseph  Potts, 

Samuel  Jones, 

Richard  Jones, 

William  Compton, 

Isaac  Parish, 

Charles  Mifflin, 

John  Haworth, 

Thomas  Howard, 

Samuel  Clarke, 

SENT  TO  VIRGINIA. 


117 


William  Savery,  Jr., 
John  Thompson, 
Daniel  Offley,  jr., 
Thomas  Savery, 
Benjamin  Davis, 
Isaac  Lewis, 
Abraham  Mitchell, 
John  Guest, 
George  Guest, 
Charles  Dingee, 
Jonathan  Worrell, 
Job  Butcher, 
John  Eidridge, 
John  Evans, 
Joseph  Russel, 
John  Field, 
Richard  Price, 
Joseph  Cruikshank, 
William  Braver, 
Edward  Wells, 
Richard  Adams, 
William  Brown, 
Anthony  Benezet, 
Owen  Jones, 
Anthony  Morris, 
John  Reynell, 
Samuel  Rhotids, 
Samuel  Preston  Moore, 
John  Morris, 
Charles  West, 
Abraham  Mason, 
Samuel  Noble, 
David  Bacon, 


William  Wilson, 
John  Drinker, 
John  Nancarrow,  Jr. 
Joshua  Cresson, 
William  Dawson, 
Nicholas  Wain, 
.John  Todd, 
William  Pusey, 
James  Cresson, 
William  Wayne, 
Caleb  Jones, 
Robert  Lewis, 
Robert  Wain, 
Thomas  Say, 
Thomas  Hallowell, 
Joseph  Richardson, 
Edward  Jones, 
David  Deshler, 
Joseph  Marriott, 
Benjamin  Hooton, 
Robert  Proud, 
John  Parish, 
Abraham  Carlisle, 
William  Savery, 
Samuel  Hopkins, 
Thomas  Masterman, 
Joseph  Bringhurst, 
Samuel  Rhoads,  Jr., 
John  Lownes, 
Jonathan  Shoemaker, 
Samuel  Richards, 
Isaac  Cathrall, 
Benjamin  Horner. 


Philadelphia,  7th  of  9th  month,  1777. 

Being  the  first  day  of  the  week,  and  we  deprived  of  the  pri- 
vilege of  assembling  with  our  brethren  as  usual,  for  the  per- 


118 


EXILES  FROM  PENNSYLVANIA. 


formance  of  public  worship;  but  unwilling  to  omit  that  solemn 
indispensable  duty,  we  desired  the  guards  to  inform  our  friends 
that  we  inclined  to  be  pretty  much  alone ;  accordingly  few 
visited  us  till  evening. 

Thomas  Coombe  being  one  of  our  number,  and  a  minister  of 
the  Church  of  England,  with  such  of  us  as  were  his  fellow- 
citizens,  collected  about  nine  o'clock  in  the  morning  in  one  of 
our  rooms  to  perform  religious  service.  About  ten  o'clock  the 
rest  of  us  sat  down,  having  the  company  of  our  friends  John 
Foreman,  John  Parrish,  Samuel  Hopkins,  David  Estraugh, 
and  two  other  Friends,  soon  after  which  the  above-mentioned 
members  of  the  Church  of  England  came  and  sat  with  us. 
John  Foreman  expressed  a  few  sentences  in  a  very  lively  and 
acceptable  manner,  after  which  John  Hunt  was  much  favoured 
in  setting  forth  the  nature  and  qualifications  of  the  true  gospel 
ministry,  and  of  that  opposite  spirit  which  leads  into  persecu- 
tion, directing  our  attention  to  that  divine  Power,  which  alone 
can  preserve  and  support  us.  And  although  it  was  a  hard 
time  of  labour  to  some  of  us,  yet  we  were  united  with  him  in 
his  supplication  for  us,  and  for  our  near  and  tender  connexions. 

This  afternoon  we  were  engaged  preparing  a  third  remon- 
strance to  the  President  and  Council.  A  supplement  extraordi- 
nary to  John  Dunlap's  paper  was  brought  to  us,  containing  an 
epistle  from  the  Meeting  for  Sufferings,  dated  5lh  of  1st  month, 

1775  ;  two  testimonies  from  the  same,  dated  20th  of  1st  month, 

1776  ;  a  minute  of  the  Quarterly  Meeting  of  Philadelphia, 
dated  8th  month  4th,  1777. 

Also  three  false  papers,  or  papers  forged  by  some  person, 
said  to  be  found  on  Staten  Island,  among  prisoners'  baggage, 
and  forwarded  by  General  Sullivan.  All  published  by  order 
of  Congress,  and  signed  by  Charles  Thomson. 

The  above  we  believe  was  published  to  make  up  a  charge 
against  us,  and  prejudice  the  minds  of  the  people ;  and  it  would 
appear  that  some  of  the  officers  were  privy  to  getting  up  these 
forged  papers,  in  order  to  throw  the  odium  of  such  papers  and 
intelligence,  and  documents  upon  us,  and  to  have  a  pretext  for 


SENT  TO  VIRGINIA. 


119 


banishing  us,  who  by  leading  innocent  and  quiet  Uves  could 
not  join  in  heart  with  such  men.  It  was  made  known  to  us 
before  we  were  apprehended  that  they  would  banish  us. 

Philadelphia,  8th  of  9th  month,  1777. 

This  morning  we  resumed  the  consideration  of  the  remon- 
strance to  the  President  and  Council,  and  agreed  upon  it.  A 
copy  was  made  out  and  signed  by  us.  Samuel  Rhoads  and  Dr. 
Hutchinson  undertook  to  deliver  it.  They  returned  soon  and 
reported  they  had  delivered  it  to  Timothy  Matlack,  the  Secre- 
tary, at  the  Council  door.  He  had  offered  to  introduce  them, 
or  to  deliver  it  himself  to  the  Council ;  they  chose  the  latter 
mode. 

See  the  third  remonstrance  to  the  President  and  Council  of 
Pennsylvania,  8th  September,  1177  ;  as  stated  in  the  printed 
pamphlet  at  page  107. 

After  dinner  a  committee  of  Friends  from  the  Meeting  for 
Sufferings,  attended  us,  and  had  a  conference  with  several  of 
our  number,  on  the  publications  in  a  Supplement  to  John  Dun- 
lap's  Pennsylvania  Packet,  as  mentioned  in  the  minute  of  yes- 
terday, the  publishing  of  which,  at  this  time,  appeared  to  be 
manifestly  intended  to  mislead  the  people,  to  raise  their  enmity 
against  us,  and  against  the  Society  of  Friends  in  general,  in 
order  to  justify  the  unwarrantable  proceedings  respecting  us, 
and  such  others  of  our  Society  as  our  persecutors  had  in  view 
to  take  up  in  the  same  arbitrary  manner.  After  some  time 
spent  in  consideration  of  this  matter,  it  was  agreed  that  the 
members  of  the  Meeting  for  Sufferings,  and  we,  should  keep  it 
under  consideration,  and  if  either  found  their  minds  engaged  to 
answer  it,  an  essay  should  be  made  and  communicated. 

After  our  friends  of  the  Meeting  of  Sufferings  withdrew,  on  a 
conference  among  ourselves,  it  was  thought  necessary  we 


120 


EXILES  FROM  PENNSYLVANIA. 


should  draw  up  a  remonstrance  to  Congress,  further  to  justify 
ourselves,  and  to  answer  the  foregoing  publications ;  and  a 
comnnittee  was  appointed  to  prepare  an  essay. 

This  evening  Dr.  Hutchinson  communicated  to  us  a  letter 
he  had  received  from  Timothy  Matlack,  Secretary  to  the 
Council ;  a  copy  of  which  is  as  follows  : 

"Philadelphia,  September  8th,  1777. 

"  Sir, — 

"  The  remonstrance  delivered  by  you  and  Samuel  Rhoads, 
Esq.,  to  me,  has  been  read  in  Council,  and  I  am  directed  to 
acquaint  you  that  the  business  to  which  this  remonstrance  re- 
lates, is  referred  to  Congress. 

"I  am,  with  great  respect, 

Your  humble  servant, 

Timothy  Matlack, 

Secretary. 

"  To  Doctor  Hutchinson." 

Which  being  taken  into  consideration,  we  requested  Dr. 
Hutchinson  to  apply  to  him  for  a  copy  of  the  minute  of  Coun- 
cil, referring  our  business  to  Congress,  and  also  to  ask  him 
whether  the  Council  considered  us  as  their  prisoners  or  not. 

He  returned  late  in  the  evening  and  informed  us  that  Timothy 
Matlack  refused  to  give  him  a  copy  of  the  minute  we  desired, 
without  leave  of  Council,  and  told  him  the  question  he  asked 
was  artful  and  insidious,  and  he  was  not  authorized  to  an- 
swer it. 

9th  day  of  9th  month. 

Being  desirous  of  procuring  a  copy  of  the  minute  of  Council 
last  referred  to,  and  an  answer  to  the  question  proposed  last 
evening,  we  committed  our  request  to  writing,  and  desired 
Samuel  Rhoads  and  Dr.  Hutchinson  to  communicate  it  to 
Council,  and  endeavour  to  obtain  an  answer :  it  being  as  fol- 
lows : 


SENT  TO  VIRGINIA. 


121 


The  prisoners  at  the  Lodge,  request  Samuel  Rhoads  and  Dr. 
Hutchinson  to  wait  on  the  President  and  Council,  and  desire  a 
copy  of  the  minute  of  Council,  referring  the  business  of  their 
remonstrance  to  Congress,  and  that  they  would  let  them  know 
whether  Council  consider  them  their  prisoners  or  not. 

lOth  of  9th  month. 

Adam  Rochenberger,  sergeant  of  the  guards,  having  in- 
formed some  of  the  prisoners  last  night,  that  William  Bradford 
and  Lewis  Nicola  had  both  denied  their  having  any  charge  of 
us,  and  added  they  should  not  hinder  any,  or  all  of  us  from 
going  away,  it  was  thought  necessary  to  send  for  both  William 
Bradford  and  Lewis  Nicola,  to  inquire  into  the  truth  of  this 
mailer. 

William  Morrell,  who  waited  on  William  Bradford,  quickly 
returned  and  informed  us  that  he  is  indisposed.  We  therefore 
agreed  to  send  the  following  questions  in  writing. 

William  Bradford  wrote  his  answers  against  the  questions, 
and  Lewis  Nicola  attending  in  person,  the  same  questions  were 
proposed  to  him. 

The  questions  and  their  respective  answers  are  as  follows  : 

1st.  Whether  we  are  in  his  custody? 
1st.  W.  B.— No. 

1st.  L.  N. — I  apprehend  four  of  you  are,  and  that  I  have 
nothing  to  say  to  the  rest.  The  four  are  Mr.  Israel  Pemberton, 
Mr.  Hunt,  Mr.  Pleasants,  and  Mr.  Bond.  I  received  no  orders 
respecting  the  others,  except  to  furnish  William  Bradford  with 
a  guard,  by  a  written  order  of  the  President  and  Council. 

2d.  If  answered  in  the  negative.  In  whose  custody  are  we? 

2d.  W.  B. — I  suppose  Colonel  Nicola's. 

2d.  L.  N. — The  last-mentioned  four  gentlemen  are  in  my 
custody.  If  the  rest  are  not  in  Colonel  Bradford's,  I  know  not 
whose  they  are. 

3d.  By  whose  orders  were  the  guards  placed  here  ? 
•  3d.  W.  B.— The  Council's. 


122 


EXILES  FROM  PENNSYLVANIA. 


3d.  L.  N. — Charles  Wilson  Peale  came  to  me  for  a  guard 
by  order  of  Colonel  Bradford ;  in  consequence  of  which  I  sent 
down  twenty  men  to  Masons'  Lodge. 

4th.  By  whose  order  has  it  been  since  continued  ? 

4th.  W.  B. — I  suppose  the  Council's. 

4th.  L.  N. — The  guard  is  continued  in  consequence  of  the 
first  order  by  my  directions ;  and  I  think  it  my  duty  to  con- 
tinue it  till  countermanded. 

5th.  Are  there  any  particular  orders  given  to  the  guards 
concerning  us;  if  any,  what  are  they  and  by  whom  given? 

5th.  W.  B. — I  know  of  no  orders. 

5th.  L.  N. — I  have  given  no  orders  to  the  guards  except  on 
some  complaint  made  to  me  of  them  on  the  day  the  first  of  the 
prisoners  were  committed,  and  suppose  they  have  received 
their  orders  from  Colonel  Bradford. 

10th  of  9th  month,  1777.— About  half  past  four  o'clock,  we 
received  a  copy  of  the  resolves  of  the  President  and  Council, 
for  our  removal  to  Staunton,  in  Virginia. 

Having  conferred  some  time  on  the  subject  of  said  resolves, 
it  was  concluded  to  publish  the  same  immediately,  and  to  add 
thereto  a  protest  against  their  arbitrary  proceedings,  and  Henry 
Drinker  and  Miers  Fisher  were  appointed  to  prepare  an  essay. 

At  half  past  seven  o'clock,  Lewis  Nicola  came  to  us  with  a 
letter  directed  to  him,  signed  by  George  Bryan,  Vice-President, 
signifying  their  intention  of  our  being  removed  to-morrow,  and 
the  manner  thereof. 

Of  this  letter  we  did  not  obtain  a  copy.  The  substance  of 
it  was,  directions  to  him  to  procure  a  sufficient  number  of  city 
guards,  and  remove  us  over  the  bridge  at  Schuylkill,  and  there 
to  deliver  us  to  a  party  of  horse,  who  would  attend  to  take 
charge  of  us,  and  escort  us  to  Staunton,  Virginia.  Lewis 
Nicola,  at  the  same  time  informed  us  that  he  did  not  wish  us 
to  remove  further  this  day  than  a  short  distance  out  of  the  city, 
and  proposed  our  being  ready  to  proceed  about  five  o'clock,  p.  m. 

The  committee  appointed  to  prepare  a  protest,  reported  an 


SENT  TO  VIRGINIA. 


123 


essay,  which  being  considered  and  ainended  was  signed,  and 
at  about  ten  o'clock,  p.  m.,  was  sent  by  Doctor  Hutchinson  and 
James  Morton  to  be  delivered  to  the  Vice-President  of  the 
Council;  but  he  being  gone  to  bed,  it  was  continued  under  their 
care,  to  be  delivered  to-morrow  morning,  and  a  copy  was  sent 
to  the  press,  to  be  added  to  the  remonstrance  above  mentioned, 
with  the  foUowincf  short  introduction. 

o 

Philadelphia,  Masons'  Lodge, 

September  9,  1777,  4  o'clock. 

TO  THE  INHABITANTS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

The  following  is  a  copy  of  a  paper  we  received  at  half  past 
four  o'clock  this  afternoon,  and  we  have  since  received  orders 
to  prepare  for  our  banishment  to-morrow. 

"I|N  COUNCIL. 


"  Resolved,  That 
Israel  Pemberton, 
James  Pemberton, 
John  Pemberton, 
Thomas  Wharton,  sen., 
Miers  Fisher, 
Phineas  Bond, 
William  Drevvet  Smith, 
Owen  Jones,  jun., 
Thomas  Gilpin, 
Elijah  Brown, 
Rev.  Thomas  Coombe, 


"  Philadelphia,  September  9th,  1777. 

Thomas  Fisher,  son  of  Joshua, 

Samuel  Fisher,  son  of  Joshua, 

Henry  Drinker, 

Samuel  Pleasants, 

John  Hunt, 

Charles  Jervis, 

Thomas  Pike, 

William  Smith, 

Charles  Eddy, 

Edward  Pennington, 

Thomas  Affleck, 


apprehended  by  Council  as  persons  who  have  uniformly  mani- 
fested by  their  general  conduct  and  conversation  a  dispo- 
sition highly  inimical  to  the  cause  of  America,  and  now  im- 
prisoned in  the  Freemasons'  Lodge,  in  this  city,  they  refusing 
to  confine  themselves  to  their  several  dwellings,  and  thereby 


124 


EXILES  FROM  PENNSYLVANIA. 


making  the  restraint  of  their  persons  in  another  manner  neces- 
sary;  and  having  refused  to  promise  to  refrain  from  corre- 
sponding with  the  enemy,  and  also  declined  giving  any  assu- 
rance of  allegiance  to  this  State,  as  of  a  right  they  ought,  do 
hereby  renounce  all  the  privileges  of  citizenship  ;  and  that  it 
appears  they  consider  themselves  subjects  of  the  King  of  Great 
Britain,  the  enemy  of  this  and  the  other  United  States  of  Ame- 
rica, and  that  they  ought  to  be  proceeded  with  accordingly. 

"  Resolved,  That  persons  of  like  characters,  and  in  emer- 
gencies equal  to  the  present,  when  the  enemy  is  at  our  doors, 
have  in  the  other  States  been  arrested  and  secured  upon  sus- 
picion arising  from  their  general  behaviour  and  refusal  to 
acknowledge  allegiance  to  the  Stale,  of  which  they  were  pro- 
per subjects  ;  and  that  such  proceedings  may  be  abundantly 
justified  by  the  conduct  of  the  freest  nation,  and  the  authority 
of  the  most  judicious  civilians.  Therefore, 

"  Resolved,  That  the  persons  whose  names  are  mentioned 
above,  be  without  further  delay,  removed  to  Staunton  in  Vir- 
ginia, there  to  be  treated  according  to  their  characters  and 
stations,  as  for  as  may  be  consistent  with  the  security  of  their 
persons.  Also, 

"  Resolved,  That  William  Imlay,  said  to  be  a  subject  of  the 
State  of  New  York,  having  behaved  in  like  manner  as  the 
persons  above  mentioned,  and  in  particular  declined  to  give 
assurance  of  allegiance  to  the  Stale  of  New  York,  be  removed 
and  secured  with  the  rest. 

"  Ordered,  That  Colonel  Nicola,  the  town  major,  secure  the 
prisoners  above  named,  now  in  the  Masons'  Lodge,  and  assist 
in  removing  them  out  of  the  city. 
"  Exti'act  from  the  minutes, 

"  Timothy  Matlack, 

"  Secretary." 

As  we  consider  this  to  be  the  highest  act  of  tyranny  that  has 
been  exercised  in  any  age  or  country,  where  the  shadow  of 
liberty  was  left,  we  have  in  the  following  manner  entered  our 
Protest  against  these  proceedings. 


SENT  TO  VIRGINIA. 


125 


PROTEST. 

TO  THE  PRESIDENT  AND  COUNCIL  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

The  remonstrance  and  protest  of  the  subscribers,  sheweth : 

That  your  resolve  of  this  day  was  this  afternoon  delivered 
to  us,  which  is  the  more  unexpected,  as  last  evening  your 
Secretary  informed  us  you  had  referred  our  business  to  Con- 
gress, to  whom  we  were  about  further  to  apply. 

In  this  resolve,  contrary  to  the  inherent  rights  of  mankind, 
you  condemn  us  to  banishment  unheard. 

You  determine  matters  concerning  us,  which  ire  could  have 
disproved,  had  a  right  to  a  hearing  been  granted. 

The  charge  against  us  of  refusing  to  "  promise  to  refrain 
from  corresponding  with  the  enemy,"  insinuates  that  we  may 
have  already  held  such  correspondence,  which  ice  utterhj  and 
solemnly  deny. 

The  tests  you  proposed,  we  were  by  no  law  bound  to  sub- 
scribe, and  notwithstanding  our  refusing  them,  we  are  still 
justly  and  lawfully  entitled  to  all  the  rights  of  citizenship,  of 
which  you  are  attempting  to  deprive  us. 

We  have  never  been  suffered  to  come  before  you  to  evince 
our  innocence,  and  to  remove  suspicions,  which  you  have 
laboured  to  instil  into  the  minds  of  others,  and  at  the  same 
time  knew  to  be  groundless,  although  Congress  recommended 
it  to  you  to  give  us  a  hearing,  and  your  President  this  morning 
assured  two  of  our  friends  we  should  have  one. 

In  vindication  of  our  characters,  we  who  are  of  the  people 
called  Quakers,  are  free  to  declare  that. 

Although  at  the  time  many  of  our  forefathers  were  convinced 
of  the  truth,  which  we  their  descendants  now  profess,  great 
fluctuations  and  various  changes  and  turnings  happened  in 
government,  and  they  were  greatly  vilified  and  persecuted  for 
a  firm  and  steady  adherence  to  their  peaceable  and  inoffensive 
principles,  yet  they  were  preserved  from  any  thing  tending  to 
promote  insurrections,  conspiracies,  or  the  shedding  of  blo-  d, 
and  during  the  troubles,  which  by  permission  of  Divine  Provi- 


126 


EXILES  FROM  PENNSYLVANIA. 


dence  have  latterly  prevailed,  we  have  steadily  maintained  our 
religious  principles  in  these  respects,  and  have  not  held  any 
correspondence  wilh  any  of  the  contending  parties,  as  it  is 
unjustly  insinuated,  but  are  restrained  from  being  concerned  in 
such  matters,  from  that  divine  principle  of  light  and  of  truth, 
which  we  profess  to  be  our  guide  and  rule  through  life.  This 
is  of  more  force  and  obligation  than  all  the  tests  and  declara- 
tions devised  by  men. 

And  we  who  are  of  the  Church  of  England  are  free  to  de- 
clare to  you,  and  to  the  w'orld,  that  we  never  have  at  any  time 
during  the  present  controversy,  either  directly  or  indirectly 
"  communicated  any  intelligence  whatever  to  the  commander 
of  the  British  forces,  or  to  any  other  person  concerned  in 
public  affairs,"  and  with  the  same  cheerfulness  would  have 
engaged  not  to  hold  any  correspondence  in  future,  had  not 
the  requisition  been  coupled  with  ignominious  and  illegal  re- 
strictions, subjecting  us  to  become  prisoners  within  the  walls 
of  our  own  du'ellings,  and  to  surrender  ourselves  to  the  Presi- 
dent and  Council  on  demand  ;  this  the  clear  consciousness  of 
our  own  innocence  absolutely  forbade  us  to  accede  to. 

Upon  the  whole,  your  proceedings  have  been  so  arbitrary, 
that  words  are  wanting  to  express  our  sense  of  them. 

We  do,  therefore,  as  the  last  office  we  expect  you  will  now 
suffer  us  to  perform,  for  the  benefit  of  our  country,  in  behalf  of 
ourselves,  and  of  those  freemen  of  Pennsylvania  who  still  have 
any  regard  for  liberty,  solemnly  remonstrate  and  protest  against 
your  whole  conduct  in  this  unreasonable  excess  of  power 
exercised  by  you. 

That  the  evil  and  destructive  spirit  of  pride,  ambition,  and 
arbitrary  power,  with  which  you  have  been  actuated,  may 
cease  and  be  no  more ;  and  that  peace  on  earth,  and  good  will 
to  men,  may  happily  take  the  place  thereof,  in  your  and  all 
men's  minds,  is  the  sincere  desire  of  your  oppressed  and  injured 
fellow-citizens. 

Israel  Pemberton,  Thomas  Gilpin, 

John  Pemb  rton,  Charles  Jervis, 

Thomas  Wharton,  Phineas  Bond, 


SENT  TO  VIRGINIA. 


127 


Edward  Pennington, 
Thomas  Coombe, 
Henry  Drinker, 
Thonnas  Fisher, 
John  Hunt, 
Samuel  Pleasants, 
Samuel  R.  Fisher, 
Owen  Jones,  Jr., 


James  Pembcrton, 
Thomas  Affleck, 
William  Druit  Smith, 
Thomas  Pike, 
William  Smith,  (broker,) 


Elijah  Brown, 
("harles  Eddy, 
Miers  Fisher. 


Philadelphia,  Masons'  Lodge, 

9th  September,  1777,  10  o'clock,  p.  m. 

Philadelphia,  10th  of  9th  month,  1777. 

The  remonstrance  and  protest  were  this  morning  delivered, 
and  that,  together  with  the  resolves  of  the  Council  for  our 
removal,  being  printed  in  a  handbill,  by  Joseph  Cruikshank, 
was  distributed  through  the  city  about  twelve  o'clock. 

A  proposition  of  great  importance  being  made  by  one  of  our 
company  (Miers  Fisher),  the  same  was  taken  into  serious  con- 
sideration, and  after  a  considerable  time  spent  thereon,  and  much 
condescension  prevailing,  the  question  was  put  to  each,  and  it 
appeared  that  several  of  our  number  were  free  to  make  further 
essay  for  our  enlargement,  by  applying  for  writs  of  habeas 
corpus,  it  appeared  that  such  as  were  inclined  to  do  it  should 
be  left  at  liberty. 

A  number  of  questions  being  agreed  on,  were  delivered  to 
Lewis  Nicola  in  writing,  which  he  laid  before  Council,  and  on 
his  return,  he  delivered  us  their  verbal  answers,  which  were 
taken  down,  being  as  follows  : 

The  prisoners  confined  in  the  Masons'  Lodge,  having  seen 
orders,  about  8  o'clock  last  night,  9th  inst.,  to  Lewis  Nicola, 
dated  September  9th,  1777,  which  was  the  notice  of  the  time 
prepared  for  our  removal — 

They  ask  him,  or  the  President  and  Council,  through  him. 

1st.  How  are  we  to  be  sent  into  banishment?  If  in  car- 
riages what  sort,  and  how  many  ? 

1st.  In  six  light  wagons. 


128 


EXILES  FROM  PENNSYLVANIA. 


2d.  Are  we  to  be  furnished  with  baggage-wagons?  And 
how  many  1 
2d.  With  two. 

3d.  What  provisions  and  stores  are  provided  for  so  long  a 
journey  ? 

3d.  JNo  provision  is  made  but  such  as  the  road  will  supply 
you  with. 

4th.  What  number  of  beds  and  bedding  I 

4th.  The  taverns  on  the  road  will  supply  you. 

5th.  Who  is  to  pay  our  travelling  expenses,  and  for  our  sup- 
port during  our  absence  frotn  our  families  and  business? 

5th.  Council  will  pay  your  expenses  on  the  road,  and  Con- 
gress will  be  applied  to,  to  take  into  consideration  your  support 
during  your  absence. 

6th.  Are  not  such  of  us  whose  families  and  affairs  require 
their  presence  and  assistance  preparatory  to  their  leaving  home, 
at  liberty  to  repair  there,  and  to  have  the  necessary  communi- 
cation with  their  friends  by  letter,  during  our  absence  ? 

6th.  The  first  part  left  to  his  discretion,  and  he  grants  it. 
The  correspondence  allowed  by  open  letters,  through  the  hands 
of  the  Continental  Secretary  of  War. 

7th.  To  whose  custody  are  we  to  be  committed  when  there? 
and  will  they  have  authority  to  suffer  us,  or  one  or  more  of  us 
to  visit  our  families  on  a  promise  to  return,  in  case  urgent  cir- 
cumstances require  it  ? 

7th.  To  the  Governor  of  Virginia,  who  will  have  some  in- 
structions about  you. 

8th.  And  are  we  not  to  have  a  certified  copy  of  our  commit- 
ment to  that  country,  and  of  the  orders  accompanying  it,  that 
we  may  know  in  what  light  we  are  represented,  and  in  what 
manner  we  are  to  be  treated  ? 

8th.  Council  apprehend  that  Congress  will  give  the  escort 
proper  instructions  in  the  matter. 

9th.  Are  we  to  have  it  in  our  power  to  apply  to  the  officers 
of  any  government  in  which  we  may  be,  for  ihe  redress  of  any 
grievance  we  may  labour  under  ? 

9lh.  Granted. 


SENT  TO  VIRGINIA. 


129 


James  Budden  to  command  the  escort. 

Council  persists  in  their  determination  of  your  going  to-day. 

Lewis  Nicola  informed  us  he  would  call  on  us  at  five  o'clock, 
as  he  was  in  expectation  of  the  carriages,  &c.,  being  ready  by 
that  time ;  before  this  he  had  sent  a  message  informing  us  that 
our  removal  was  to  be  deferred  till  to-morrow. 

We  acquainted  him  that  two  baggage-wagons  would  by  no 
means  be  sufficient,  that  four  at  least  would  be  necessary,  and 
he  promised  to  write  a  letter  to  the  Secretary  on  the  subject. 

The  address  "  To  the  Inhabitants"  being  printed,  together 
with  the  several  "  Remonstrances,  &c.,"  in  a  pamphlet,  some 
of  them  were  brought  here  about  four  o'clock,  and  were  dis- 
tributed. 


Our  friends,  John  Reynells  and  Owen  Jones,  were  requested 
to  call  on  Benjamin  Towne,  and  acquaint  him  that  as  he  had 
published  the  resolves  of  the  President  and  Council,  respecting 
our  removal,  we  desired  that  he  would  publish  our  remonstrance 
and  protest,  and  they  were  also  requested  to  apply  to  Hall  and 
Sellers,  and  to  William  Bradford,  on  the  same  account. 


Apprehending  it  necessary  to  know  the  names  of  the  Council, 
we  applied  to  Lewis  Nicola  for  a  list,  which  he  said  he  would 
not  give  us,  as  he  knew  very  few  of  them.  We  however  pro- 
cured the  following  from  a  friend,  but  he  could  not  assure  us  it 
was  complete. 

President  of  the  Council  of 

Pennsylvania. 
Vice-President. 
Council. 
Council. 


Thomas  Wharton,  Jr., 


George  Bryan, 
Jonathan  Hodge, 
John  Evans, 
John  Proctor, 
James  Edgar, 
Jacob  Morgan, 
John  Hambright, 


130 


EXILES  FROM  PENNSYLVANIA. 


Joseph  Hart, 
Thomas  Urie, 
Jolin  Bayley, 
Thomas  Scolt, 

Timothy  Matlack,  Secretary. 

This  afternoon  and  evening,  divers  of  our  company  went 
iiome  to  see  their  families,  and  settle  their  atlairs  ;  and  Thomas 
Coombe  returning,  acquainted  us  he  had  given  a  parole,  wliicli 
was  very  unexpected  to  us,  after  the  repeated  declarations  he 
had  made,  and  his  conduct  during  his  confinement. 

Philadelphia,  11  th  of  9th  month,  1777. — Owen  Jones  reported 
that  he  had  seen  Benjamin  Towne,  who  informed  him  the  press 
had  been  set  for  our  first  joint  remonstrance;  that  a  person  had 
applied  to  put  an  anonymous  piece  into  his  paper  against  us, 
but  as  he  would  neither  give  his  name  up  or  sign  it,  he  took 
out  the  remonstrance,  and  published  neither.  That  he  was  in 
gi'eat  perplexity  about  these  papers,  when  a  piece  was  sent  him 
bvthe  Congress,  containing  minutes  and  resolves  respecting  us, 
which  he  published.  That  in  regard  to  the  present  application 
he  begged  to  be  excused,  as  he  had  been  divers  times  threatened 
on  account  of  his  publications,  and  he  had  reason  to  apprehend 
he  would  be  taken  up  as  a  person  suspected  of  being  disafiected 
to  the  present  measures,  and  his  -press  stopped  if  he  complied 
iciih  our  request. 

About  nine  o'clock,  Lewis  Nicola  informed  us  he  had  orders 
to  call  on  Samuel  Caldwell  and  Alexander  Nesbitt,  (James 
Budden  being  out  of  town,  by  report,  designedly,)  two  of  the 
troop  of  Light  Horse,  and  as  many  of  the  City  Guards  as  he 
might  think  sufficient,  who  w'ere  to  conduct  us  to  Reading,  and 
tliere  deliver  us  to  some  persons,  whose  names  he  could  not 
tell,  but  orders  would  go  with  us  ;  that  he  could  not  get  ready 
till  this  afternoon,  and  proposed  three  o'clock.  He  read  part 
of  a  letter  signed  Thomas  Wharton,  jun.,  containing  his  orders, 
of  which  he  promised  us  a  copy.  We  desired  that  the  officer 
who  was  to  command  the  party,  should  call  and  acquaint  us 


SENT  TO  VIRGINIA. 


131 


what  orders  he  had  respecting  us  ;  and  we  urged  the  necessity 
of  an  additional  number  of  baggage-wagons,  which  he  promised 
to  procure. 

Owen  Jones  reported  that  William  Sellers  said  he  would 
consult  a  friend  whom  he  usually  advises  with,  about  printing 
our  Remonstrance  and  Protest,  and  would  be  determined  by  his 
advice,  and  that  William  Bradford  promised  to  publish  it  in  his 
next  paper. 

Such  of  our  number  who  had  agreed  to  apply  for  writs  of 
habeas  corpus,  had  a  meeting  together,  when  they  were  drawn 
up  and  sent  ofl'  by  Levi  Hollingsworth  and  Benjamin  Bryan,  to 
Thomas  M'Kean  and  John  Evans,  lately  appointed  in  the  cha- 
racters of  Justices  of  the  Supreme  Court  of  the  present  system 
of  government.  The  writs  applied  for,  being  nine  in  number, 
were  for 


Israel  Pemberton, 
James  Pemberton, 
Samuel  Pleasants, 
Thomas  Affleck, 
Thomas  Pike, 


William  Drewet  Smith, 
Thomas  Gilpin, 
Charles  Eddy, 
Charles  Jervis. 


The  committee  appointed  to  draw  up  a  remonstrance  to 
Congress,  in  answer  to  their  publications  against  us,  represented 
that,  as  we  were  likely  to  be  hurried  away  by  the  Council,  not- 
withstanding they  had  referred  our  business  to  Congress,  they 
had  thought  it  best  to  address  the  papers  to  the  people,  and  laid 
before  us  an  essay  they  had  prepared,  which  was  read,  but  not 
having  time  to  correct  it  for  the  press,  we  delivered  it  to  oujr 
friend,  Owen  Jones,  desiring  him,  in  conjunction  with  some 
other  friends,  to  revise  and  correct  it,  and  if  they  thought  pro- 
per to  publish  it  in  our  names,  or  make  such  other  use  of  it  as 
they  might  think  expedient. 

Sundry  wagons,  for  our  removal,  were  driven  into  Lodge 
Alley,  about  three  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  attended  with  a 
military  guard  ;  soon  after,  Lewis  Nicola  came  and  gave  us- 


132 


EXILES  FROM  PENNSYLVANIA. 


a  copy  of  a  letter  from  Thomas  Wharton,  jun.,  to  hiin,  direct- 
ing the  manner  of  our  removal  to  be  as  follows: 

"IN  COUNCIL. 

"Philadelphia,  September  10th,  1777. 

•  Sir,— 

"  The  gentlemen  of  the  Light  Horse  have  made  earnest 
application  to  be  allowed  to  join  General  Washington,  and  to 
be  released  from  the  journey  to  Virginia.  Their  request  is 
laudable,  but  it  comes  inconveniently,  and  makes  some  new 
provision  needful  for  escorting  the  prisoners  at  the  Lodge.  At 
present  it  is  proposed  to  entrust  the  direction  of  this  business  to 
two  gentlemen  of  the  troop  and  a  competent  number  of  your 
City  Guards,  mounted  on  horseback,  as  far  as  Reading.  Your 
•sentiments  on  this  scheme,  if  you  see  any  difficulty,  are  re- 
quired. It  is  hoped  that  the  number  necessary  will  be  small; 
•this  will  perhaps  be  better  seen  after  the  journey  has  been  en- 
tered a  few  miles. 

"  I  am,  sir,  your  very  humble  servant, 

"  Thomas  Wharton,  jun, 

"  President. 

"  To  Coknel  Nicola." 

Alexander  Nesbitt  and  Samuel  Caldwell  attended,  of  whom 
we  demanded  a  copy  of  their  instructions  respecting  us,  which 
they  refused,  and  would  not  even  read  them  to  us,  as  a  matter 
of  right.  After  much  altercation,  Samuel  Caldwell  read  them, 
as  he  informed  us,  though  it  appeared  afterward  he  kept  back  a 
material  part. 

As  they  refused  us  a  copy  of  these  instructions,  and  insisted 
on  our  immediate  removal,  notwithstanding  we  informed  them 
that  writs  of  habeas  corpus  were  sent  for,  it  was  thought  ne- 
cessary to  make  a  protest  against  their  proceedings,  before 
some  of  our  friends,  which  was  done  accordingly,  and  com- 
mitted to  writing  in  the  presence  of  Owen  Jones,  Isaac  Wharton, 


JOURNEY  TO  VIRGINIA. 


133 


John  Reynells,  Dr.  Hutchinson,  John  Brown,  and  Joseph  Bring- 
hurst. 

(For  the  protest  under  date  of  9th  September,  1777,  see 
page  113.) 

Phineas  Bond  having  had  thoughts  of  giving  his  parole,  if 
the  terms  he  proposed  were  admitted,  applied  for  that  purpose, 
but  being  disappointed,  returned  and  informed  us  he  was  de- 
termined to  go  with  us  rather  than  comply  by  signing  the  parole 
offered  him  ;  but  his  name  being  struck  off  the  list  read  to  us, 
Lewis  Nicola  refused  sending  him  with  our  company,  and  he 
informed  him  he  was  to  remain  in  his  custody. 


JOURNEY  TO  VIRGINIA. 

9th  month,  11th. — About  five  o'clock  we  were  compelled, 
some  by  actual  force,  and  some  by  force  being  admitted,  to 
take  seats  in  a  number  of  wagons,  and  were  driven  through 
the  city,  to  the  Falls  of  Schuylkill — a  spectacle  to  the  people. 

Thus,  by  the  bold  attempt  of  a  set  of  men  who  had  thrust 
themselves  into  power,  there  was  accomplished  an  affair,  which 
has  no  parallel  in  history.  A  people  who  had  professedly  risen 
up  in  opposition  to  what  they  called  an  arbitrary  exercise  of 
power,  were  in  a  little  time  so  lost  to  every  idea  of  liberty,  as 
to  see,  without  dreading  the  consequences,  the  very  foundation 
of  freedom  torn  up.  And  men  were  found  who  would  under- 
take the  execution  of  the  mandates  of  Council  without  inquiring 
into  the  justice  of  them. 

This,  however,  is  not  an  imputation  upon  all  the  citizens  of 
Philadelphia ;  for,  from  the  first  of  our  imprisonment,  a  great 
number  of  them  of  most  denominations,  publicly  expressed  their 
abhorrence  of  the  measures  taken  against  us;  and  during  our 
confinement  we  were  every  day  visited  by  the  most  respectable 
characters  of  the  community.    On  the  day  of  our  removal,  not 


134 


EXILES  FROM  PENNSYLVANIA. 


only  the  house  in  which  we  were  confined,  but  the  streets  lead- 
ing to  it,  were  crowded  by  men,  women,  and  children,  who  by 
their  countenances,  sufficiently  though  silently  expressed  the 
grief  they  felt  on  the  occasion. 

We  reached  Palmer's  tavern  some  time  after  dark.  The 
house  not  affording  room  or  convenience  to  lodge  us,  leave  was 
given  us  to  go  with  some  of  our  friends  in  the  neighbourhood, 
several  of  whom  attended  to  invite  us,  John  Vanderin,  Joseph 
Warner,  and  Dr.  William  Smith,  who  entertained  us  wiih 
kindness  and  hospitality. 

12ih  of  9th  month. — We  collected  at  Palmer's  tavern,  and 
set  out  between  8  and  9  o'clock,  and  reached  the  Black  Horse, 
Hamilton's  tavern,  about  15  miles  from  Philadelphia,  about  10 
o'clock,  and  went  about  three  miles  further,  to  Archibald 
Thompson's.  Our  friends,  John  Parrish  and  John  Foreman,  who 
accompanied  us  from  town,  took  an  affectionate  leave  of  us. 
We  stopped  about  sunset  at  the  Widow  Lloyd's  tavern,  about 
thirty  miles  from  Philadelphia,  but  as  we  could  not  be  accom- 
modated there,  we  went  on  to  Potisgrove,  which  we  reached 
between  seven  and  eight  o'clock,  thirty-seven  miles  from  Phila- 
delphia. Several  of  our  kind  friends  came  to  the  tavern  and 
invited  us  to  their  houses.  As  soon  as  we  arranged  we  went 
with  them  and  lodged  at  the  houses  of  the  Widow  Potts,  Samuel 
Potts,  John  Potts,  David  Potts,  and  Thomas  Rutter,  agreeing 
to  meet  our  guards  at  the  tavern,  about  eight  o'clock  next 
morning. 

13th  of  9th  month. — We  met  according  to  appointment,  and 
as  part  of  our  baggage  was  left  behind,  we  urged  the  necessity 
of  staying  here  till  it  came  up  ;  being  advised  that  several  of 
our  friends  in  Philadelphia  were  using  endeavours  to  forward 
it.  Some  of  our  company  not  having  a  second  shirt,  or  their 
warm  clothing,  we  remonstrated  about  being  sent  away  with- 
out if,  and  our  escort  agreed  we  should  remain  at  Pottsgrove 
till  to-morrow  at  seven  o'clock. 

We  discovered  to-day  that  William  Antis,  who  holds  the  ap- 
pointment of  sub-lieutenant  of  the  county,  had  been  sent  to,  for 


JOURNEY  TO  VIRGINIA. 


135 


assistance,  and  we  had  reason  to  believe  our  detention  here  had 
been  misrepresented  to  liinn,  as  well  as  a  message  sent  by  Peter 
De  Haven  to  Reading.  About  three  o'clock  William  Antis 
came  to  us,  there  having  come  near  twenty  armed  men  by  his 
order,  before  that  time.  He  urged  the  necessity  of  our  going 
off,  although  before  we  could  have  got  ready  it  would  have 
been  very  late,  and  obliged  us  to  ride  most  of  the  way  in  the 
night,  in  great  danger  of  our  lives,  from  the  extreme  badness 
of  the  roads ;  and  it  was  with  difficulty  he  was  prevailed  on 
to  permit  our  staying  till  morning. 

Here  it  is  proper  to  remark  that  in  our  conference  with  S. 
Caldwell  and  A.  Nesbitt,  at  twelve  o'clock,  the  former  of  his 
own  accord  fully  confirmed,  as  we  had  before  stated,  that  he 
had  further  orders  concerning  us,  as  he  then  read  instructions 
from  the  Board  of  War,  signed  by  Richard  Peters,  directed 
to  be  handed  by  them  to  the  several  lieutenants  of  the  counties 
through  which  we  should  pass  on  our  way  to  Virginia,  a  copy 
of  which  was  refused  us ;  but  it  was  afterwards  obtained  and 
will  appear. 

Pottsgrove,  Hlh  day  of  9th  month,  1777. — This  morning 
Levi  HoUingsworth  and  Benjamin  Bryant  arrived  with  the 
writs  of  habeas  corpus,  for  nine  of  our  number,  alloiced  hy 
Tliomas  M'Kean,  Chief  Justice,  which  were  regularly  served  on 
Samuel  Caldwell  and  Alexander  Nesbitt,  who  refused  to  obey 
them. 

Those  among  us  who  had  not  been  included  in  the  above 
writs,  now  agreed  to  send  them  forward  for  acceptance,  which 
was  accordingly  done  by  Benjamin  Bryant,  and  it  since  appears 
that  Nathaniel  Walker  agreed  to  accompany  him.  The  names 
of  those  persons  now  applying  are  as  follows  : 
John  Hunt,  Elijah  Brown, 

Edward  Pennington,  Miers  Fisher, 

William  Smith,  (broker,)         Henry  Drinker, 
Thomas  Fisher,  Owen  Jones,  Jr., 

John  Pemberton,  Samuel  Rowland  Fisher. 

Thomas  Wharton, 


13G 


EXILES  FROM  PENNSYLVANIA. 


About  nine  o'clock  we  took  leave  of  our  kind  friends  at 
Pottsgrove,  who  had  treated  us  with  an  extraordinary  degree 
of  hospitality,  and  expressed  much  sympathy  for  us,  and  a  high 
approbation  of  our  conduct.  We  passed  through  Bishop's 
Town,  and  arrived  at  Reading  about  two  o'clock. 

On  going  through  the  town  there  appeared  to  be  much  enmity 
among  the  people,  and  some  stones  were  thrown  at  us.  This 
disposition  was  probably  raised  by  a  letter  written  by  Samuel 
Caldwell  to  Jacob  Morgan,  called  lieutenant  of  Bucks  County, 
in  wliich  we  were  informed  by  Daniel  Levan,  he  represented 
we  had  refused  to  leave  Pottsgrove,  and  were  endeavouring  to 
procure  ourselves  to  be  rescued,  which  they  said  was  the  cause 
of  the  armed  men  going  to  Pottsgrove  to  assist  our  guards  in 
compelling  us  to  come  forward. 

On  our  getting  into  the  Widow  Withington's,  a  house  pro- 
vided for  us,  we  found  ourselves  made  close  prisoners.  Guards 
W'Cre  put  round  the  house,  and  the  face  of  every  thing  much 
changed.  Our  friends,  Isaac  Zane  and  James  Starr,  coming 
to  the  door  to  speak  to  us,  were  violently  pulled  away,  struck, 
and  stoned,  the  former  of  whom  was  considerably  bruised  and 
hurt. 

Our  friends  were  kept  from  us.  Samuel  Morris,  who  kindly 
sent  us  a  dinner  and  some  wine,  soon  after  our  arrival,  being 
the  only  person  admitted  ;  for  it  did  not  appear  any  provision 
had  been  made  for  us.  In  the  evening  we  were  informed  that 
our  friends  could  freely  see  us  to-morrow.  About  five  o'clock 
we  sat  down  together  in  retirement,  and  thought  a  cloud  seemed 
to  hang  over  us,  yet  some  comfort  and  consolation  was  in 
mercy  extended. 

Reading,  15th  of  9th  month.  —  This  morning  Alexander 
Nesbitt  set  off  for  Philadelphia,  as  we  apprehended  to  take 
advice  respecting  us  ;  and  we  wrote  by  him  to  our  families. 

Our  friend,  Benjamin  Lightfoot,  sent  us  a  plentiful  dinner, 
anil  Edward  Biddle,  James  Biddle,  and  Reynald  Keen,  furnished 
us  with  wine. 

About  four  o'clock,  Benjamin  Bryant  and  Nathaniel  Walker 


SUSPENSION  OF  THE  HABEAS  CORPUS  ACT. 


137 


returned  witli  the  writs  of  habeas  corpus,  which  had  been  allowed 
by  Tliornas  jWKean,  Chief  Justice.  Nathaniel  Walker,  after  re- 
maining some  time  with  us,  went  toward  the  inn  returning  home 

to  Potlsgrove,  and  was  called  by  Nagel  to  take  the  tests, 

and  on  his  declining  to  do  it,  he  was  committed  to  jail.  As  he 
was  employed  only  in  the  execution  of  a  legal  process  un- 
knot n  to  us,  it  appeared  a  cruel  case.  Proper  care  was  taken 
to  supply  him  with  bedding,  &c.,  and  his  case  recommended 
to  our  friends.  Isaac  Zane,  jun.,  came  up  from  Philadelphia, 
and  brought  us  letters  from  our  friends,  which  were  examined 
by  Samuel  Morris,  who  had  the  care  of  us,  in  the  temporary 
absence  of  Samuel  Caldwell. 

Our  supper  this  evening  was  sent  us  by  Benjamin  Lightfoot. 
Several  of  our  friends  had  visited  us  during  the  day. 

I6th  and  17th  of  Gth  month. — In  the  evening  Alexander 
Nesbitt  came  up  and  brought  us  letters.  They  brought  up  a 
printed  bill,  introduced  into  the  House  of  Assembly  on  the  15th 
inst.,  and  read  twice  and  passed  on  the  16th,  to  justify  the 
President  and  Council  in  their  arbitrary  and  unjust  proceed- 
ings against  us.  It  was  to  suspend  the  Habeas  Corpus  Act, 
and  deprive  us  and  others  from  a  trial,  and  the  rights  and  pri- 
vileges secured  by  the  law  to  freemen. 

It  holds  up  a  striking  picture  of  the  measures  carrying  on 
against  the  liberties  of  Pennsylvania,  and  we  think  it  right  to 
insert  here  a  copy  of  it;  as  follows: 

See  the  Pennsylvania  Evening  Post,  vol.  3,  No.  406.  Thurs- 
day, September  18,  1777.  ' 

"  Philadelphia. 

"  An  Act  to  empower  the  Supreme  Executive  Council  of  this 
Commonwealth,  to  provide  for  the  security  thereof  in  special 
cases  where  no  provision  is  already  made  by  law. 

"  Whereas,  the  preservation  of  this  State  and  all  its  members. 


138 


EXILES  FROM  PENNSYLVANIA. 


and  of  the  army  acting  in  support  thereof,  at  the  time  of  a 
hostile  invasion,  may  require  the  immediate  interposition  of  the 
Supreme  Executive  Council,  when  the  judicial  powers  of  the 
Government  cannot,  in  the  ordinary  course  of  law,  sufficiently 
provide  for  its  security. 

"  And  whereas,  for  this  important  purpose  the  Supreme  Ex- 
ecutive Council  of  this  Commonwealth  have  lately,  at  the  re- 
commendation of  Congress,  taken  up  several  persons  who  have 
refused  to  give  to  the  State  the  common  assurance  of  their 
fidelity  and  peaceable  behaviour,  as  required  by  law,  and  it  is 
apprehended  that  there  are  still  more  such  persons  among  us, 
who  cannot  at  this  juncture  be  safely  trusted  with  their  free- 
dom without  giving  proper  security  to  the  public. 

"  Be  it  therefore  enacted,  and  it  is  hereby  enacted  by  the 
Representatives  of  the  freemen  of  the  Commonwealth  of  Penn- 
sylvania, in  General  Assembly  met,  and  by  the  authority  of  the 
same,  that  it  may  and  shall  be  lawful  for  the  President,  or  Vice- 
President,  and  the  members  of  the  Supreme  Executive  Council 
of  this  State,  or  any  two  of  them,  either  upon  the  recommen- 
dation of  Congress,  or  at  the  requisition  of  the  commander-in- 
chief  of  the  army,  or  the  commander  of  a  division  or  corps  in 
the  same,  or  upon  the  information  of  any  credible  subject  of 
this  or  any  other  of  the  United  States,  to  arrest  any  person  or 
persons  within  this  Commonwealth,  who  shall  be  suspected 
from  any  of  his  or  her  acts,  writings,  speeches,  conversations, 
travels,  or  other  behaviour,  to  be  disaffected  to  the  community 
of  this,  or  all,  or  any  of  the  United  States  of  America,  or  lo  be 
an  harbinger  of  the  common  enemy,  who  is  at  our  gates,  or 
give  mediate  or  immediate  intelligence  and  warning  to  their 
commanders,  by  letters,  messengers,  or  tokens,  or  by  dis- 
couraging people  from  taking  up  arms  for  the  defence  of  the 
country,  or  spreading  false  news,  or  doing  any  other  thing  to 
subvert  the  good  order  and  regulations  which  are  or  may  be 
made  and  pursued  for  the  safety  of  the  country,  and  to  seize 
and  examine  such  papers  in  their  possession  as  shall  in  any 
wise  affect  the  public  ;  and  the  same  persons  being  arrested,  to 


SUSPENSION  OF  THE  HABEAS  CORPUS  ACT. 


130 


confine  or  remove  them  to  any  distant  place,  where  it  will  be 
out  of  their  power  to  disturb  the  peace  and  safety  of  the  States; 
or  to  tender  to  them  the  oath  or  affirmation  of  allegiance  and 
fidelity  to  the  State,  as  directed  by  law  ;  and  upon  the  taking 
and  subscribing  the  same  to  enlarge  them,  or  to  demand  and 
take  such  further  and  other  security  and  assurance  from  them 
as  the  said  President  or  Vice-President  and  Council,  or  any  two 
of  them,  in  their  discretion  shall  think  proper,  or  as  the  parti- 
cular circumstances  of  the  case  may  require. 

"And  be  it  further  enacted,  by  the  authority  aforesaid,  that 
the  President,  Vice-President,  and  other  members  of  the  Su- 
preme Executive  Council  of  this  Commonwealth,  and  all  per- 
sons acting  by  their  special  command  in  the  premises,  shall  be 
and  are  hereby  fully  and  absolutely  indemnified  and  saved 
harmless  from  all  process,  suits,  and  actions,  that  shall  or  may 
be  hereafter  sued,  commenced,  prosecuted,  or  brought  against 
them,  or  any  or  either  of  them,  for,  or  in  respect  of  any  of  their 
orders  or  proceedings  heretofore  issued  and  had  upon  the  re- 
commendation of  Congress,  or  which  they  shall  hereafter  issue, 
and  have  by  virtue  of  this  act.  And  that  no  judge  or  officer  of 
the  Supreme  Court,  or  any  inferior  court  within  this  Common- 
wealth, shall  issue  or  allow  of  any  writ  of  habeas  corpus,  or 
other  remedial  writ  to  obstruct  the  proceedings  of  the  said 
Executive  Council  against  suspected  persons  in  this  time  of 
imminent  danger  to  the  State. 

"Provided  always,  and  it  is  hereby  further  enacted,  by  the 
authority  aforesaid,  that  this  act  shall  be  in  force  to  the  end  of 
the  first  sitting  of  the  next  General  Assembly  of  this  Common- 
wealth and  no  longer. 

"  Enacted  into  a  law,  the  sixteenth  day  of  September,  in  the 
year  of  our  Lord,  one  thousand  seven  hundred  and  seventy- 
seven. 

"  John  Bayard, 

"  Speaker. 

"  John  Morris, 

"  Clerk  of  General  Assembly." 


140 


EXILES  FROM  PENNSYLVANIA. 


Reading,  18th  day  of  9tli  month. — This  morning  Samuel 
Morris  acquainted  us  we  were  to  be  sent  off  to-morrow  to 
Winchester,  in  Virginia,  and  that  no  regard  should  be  paid  to 
the  writs  of  habeas  corpus. 

As  we  were  about  to  be  delivered  over  to  Jacob  Morgan, 
Lieutenant  of  Berks  County,  we  represented  to  him  as  follows: 

1.  That  our  stores  needful  for  subsistence  in  travelling  had 
not  come  on,  nor  our  clothing,  though  by  our  letters  they  are 
on  the  road. 

2.  The  two  baggage- wagons  which  came  with  us  have  gone 
away ;  and  no  others  provided  in  their  place.  The  two  addi- 
tional ones  promised  by  Thomas  Mifflin,  to  carry  the  residue 
of  the  stores,  have  not  come  on. 

3.  Two  of  the  travelling  wagons  which  brought  us  have  left 
us,  and  a  third  rendered  useless.  Four  wagons  ought  to  be 
added  to  those  now  here. 

4.  John  Pemberton,  one  of  the  prisoners,  is  very  much  indis- 
posed, and  wholly  unfit  to  be  removed. 

To  which  we  never  received  any  answers. 

Soon  in  the  day,  Alexander  Nesbitt  and  Jacob  Morgan  came 
to  us,  and  Michael  Hillegas  and  George  Nagel  were  called  in 
at  our  request  as  witnesses. 

Alexander  Nesbitt  called  over  our  names,  and  was  about  to 
deliver  us  to  the  care  of  Jacob  Morgan,  previous  to  which  we 
served  on  him  the  last  writs  of  habeas  corpus,  for  eleven  of  our 
members,  which  being  read  and  delivered  in  due  form,  in  pre- 
sence of  said  witnesses,  he  was  charged  in  the  name  of  us  all, 
on  his  peril  not  to  remove  us  in  the  manner  they  were  about  to 
do,  but  to  pay  due  regard  to  the  said  writs.  He  nevertheless 
persisted,  and  delivered  us  over  to  the  said  Jacob  Morgan. 
The  said  Michael  Hillegas  and  George  Nagel  have  certified 
the  service  of  the  said  writs,  as  follows : 


Henry  Drinker, 
Samuel  Rowland  Fisher, 
Miers  Fisher, 


Habeas  corpus  directed  to  Sa- 
muel Caldwell,  Alexander  Nes- 
bitt, Jacob  Morgan,  John  Oldt, 


SUSPENSION  OF  THE  HABEAS  CORPUS  ACT. 


141 


Elijah  Brown, 
John  Hunt, 
Owen  Jones,  jun., 
Wilh'am  Smith,  (broker,) 
Thomas  Fisher,  - 
Thomas  Wharton, 
Edward  Pennington,  - 
John  Pemberton,  - 


and  Joseph  llutton,  returnable 
forthwith  before  chief  justice. 

-  The  like  writ. 

-  The  like  writ. 

-  The  like  writ. 

-  The  like  writ. 

-  The  like  writ. 

-  The  like  writ. 


"  The  above  writs  were  served  on  Alexander  Nesbitt  and 
Jacob  Morgan,  who  then  had  the  parties  above  named  in  their 
custody  at  Reading,  in  the  county  of  Berks,  in  the  presence  of 
us.    On  this  I8th  day  of  September,  1777. 

"  Michael  Hillegas. 
"  George  Nagel." 

On  conversing  with  A.  Nesbitt,  we  found  he  had  some  further 
instructions  concerning  us,  wnicn  at  our  request,  he  read  to  us. 
This  proved  to  be  a  new  warrant,  dated  the  sixteenth  inst., 
signed  by  George  Bryan,  Vice-President ;  tested  by  Timothy 
Matlack,  Secretary,  and  sealed  with  the  lesser  seal. 

This  afternoon,  the  two  wagons  from  Philadelphia  with  the 
remainder  of  our  stores  arrived  here. 

Miers  Fisher  wrote  a  letter  to  Thomas  M'Kean,  Chief 
Justice,  informing  him  of  our  situation,  and  sent  it  by  Benjamin 
Bryant.    The  following  is  a  copy. 

Reading,  September  18,  1777, 
TO  THOMAS  m'kEAN,  ESQ. 

Respected  Friend, 

From  Pottstown,  I  wrote  thee  a  short  note  in  behalf  of  my- 
self and  fellow-sufferers,  requesting  thee  to  allow  writs  of  habeas 
corpus  for  eleven  of  us.  The  messengers,  Benjamin  Bryant 
and  Nathaniel  Walker,  returned  here  on  second  day  with  them, 


EXILES  FROM  PENNSYLVANIA. 


"  allowed.''  We  are  sorry  to  inform  thee  that  some  of  the 
justices  of  this  town  ordered  Nathaniel  Walker,  (a  young  man 
who  oflTered  liis  services  voluntarily,  and  went  with  Benjamin 
Bryant  without  our  knowledge  as  a  guide  and  companion,)  to 
be  arrested  and  brought  before  them,  and  tendered  him  the 
"Test,"  and  upon  his  declining  to  take  it,  committed  him  a 
close  prisoner  to  the  common  jail. 

We  consider  this  to  be  a  breach  of  that  privilege  which  per- 
sons executing  civil  process  are  entitled  to,  and  an  insult  to  the 
office  of  Chief  Justice,  whose  writ  he  was  entrusted  to  serve. 
We  recommend  his  case  to  thy  notice,  and  doubt  not  but  if 
ihou  should  concur  with  us  in  opinion,  thou  will  grant  a 
supersedeas  to  his  commitment,  and  permit  him  to  return  to 
his  mother,  at  Pottsgrove. 

We  informed  thee  by  those  messengers,  that  our  keepers 
were  regularly  served  with  the  writs  for  those  nine  of  us  which 
were  first  applied  for,  and  "  allowed.'''  We  now  acquaint  thee 
that  this  day,  the  writs  for  the  remaining  eleven  were  also 
served  on  Alexander  Nesbilt  and  Jacob  Morgan,  as  will  appear 
by  the  inclosed  certificate,  signed  by  the  gentlemen  who  attended 
as  witnesses. 

Alexander  Nesbitt  read  us  a  paper,  signed  by  the  Secretary 
of  Council,  by  which  it  appears  he  was  ordered  to  deliver  us 
here  to  Jacob  Morgan  and  John  Oldt,  and  by  which  they  were 
directed  to  forward  us  from  county  to  county,  to  Winchester, 
in  Virginia,  and  accordingly,  after  calling  us  by  name,  de- 
livered us  to  Jacob  Morgan,  and  soon  after  left  the  town. 

Jacob  Morgan,  upon  being  required  to  obey  the  writs,  gave 
us  for  answer,  that  he  knew  the  nature  of  writs  of  "  habeas 
corpus,"  but  that  he  had  positive  orders  which  he  must  obey. 
In  this  situation  we  now  are,  and  have  received  notice  to  be 
ready  to  move  forward  toward  Winchester  to-morrow.  We 
thought  it  to  be  our  duty  to  acquaint  thee  with  these  circum- 
stances, that  thou  might  have  an  opportunity  to  lake  such  steps 
as  thou  should  think  proper,  either  to  enforce  obedience  to 
them,  or  evince  to  the  world  that  no  fault  lays  with  ihee. 


SUSPENSION  OF  THE  HABEAS  CORPUS  ACT. 


143 


We  consider  thy  allowing  these  writs  as  a  proof,  not  only  of 
thy  knowledge  of  the  rights  of  freemen,  but  of  thy  desire  to 
support  them,  as  far  as  thy  power  extends,  and  as  thou  hast 
done  thy  part,  and  art  entitled  to  the  perquisites  of  thy  office, 
we  send  by  the  bearer  seventeen  pounds  ten  shillings,  being  the 
sum  to  which  twenty  writs  amount,  at  the  rate  of  fees  esta- 
blished by  law. 

We  sincerely  wish  thy  attention  to  the  rights  of  mankind  in 
this,  and  all  other  instances  that  may  come  before  thee,  and 
are  thy  real  well-wishers.    In  behalf  of  my  fellow-sufferers. 

I  am,  with  due  respect,  thy  friend. 

MiERs  Fisher. 

Reading,  20th  of  9th  month. — Nothing  material  took  place 
yesterday,  except  that  several  Friends  from  Exeter  and  Maiden 
Creek  came  to  see  us,  and  brought  us  provisions.  About  noon, 
Jacob  Morgan  and  Daniel  Levan  acquainted  us  we  were  to  go  off 
to-day ;  and  Jacob  Morgan  delivered  us  over  to  Daniel  Levan, 
read  us  the  last  warrant  and  instructions,  dated  the  10th  inst., 
signed  by  George  Bryan,  respecting  us,  and  promised  us  a 
copy  of  it. 

William  Lewis,  Esq.,  who  left  Philadelphia  in  the  morning, 
brought  us  letters,  and  an  agreeable  account  of  our  several 
families. 

21  si  of  9th  month. — Most  of  our  baggage  being  put  in  three 
wagons,  and  our  stores  in  a  fourth,  we  were  ready  to  set  off ; 
but  our  friend,  John  Pemberton,  having  been  much  indisposed 
for  several  days  past,  and  now  not  fit  to  be  removed,  though  he 
was  resigned  to  go  or  stay,  the  matter  was  mentioned  to 
Daniel  Levan,  who  was  very  kindly  disposed,  but  on  consulting 
with  Shoemaker  and  Christ,  they  determined  he  should  proceed, 
which  unkind  conduct  needs  no  comment. 

Most  of  us  set  off  about  ten  o'clock,  passed  over  the  ford  of 
Schuylkill,  dined  at  Womelsdorf,  and  reached  Lebanon  before 
dark,  where  we  were  very  kindly  and  courteously  received, 
and  entertained  by  the  inhabitants  and  neighbours,  who  pre- 
pared for  us. 


144 


EXILES  FROM  PENNSYLVANIA. 


Curtis  Grubb,  Esq.,  went  about  from  house  to  house  to  see 
that  we  were  treated  with  kindness,  and  desired  to  know  if  any 
person  should  attempt  to  treat  us  in  an  ungenteel  manner,  that 
he  might  call  them  to  account.  He  acted  in  the  station  of 
lieutenant  of  Lancaster,  having  here  a  battalion  of  American 
troops  under  his  command,  who  with  some  of  the  lower  class 
of  people  did  not  seem  kindly  disposed  towards  us,  yet  by  his 
attention  they  were  kept  quiet.  In  all  parts  of  his  behaviour, 
he  seemed  desirous  to  make  our  condition  as  easy  as  possible. 

There  are  confined  here  about  six  hundred  Hessians,  and 
about  three  hundred  more  left  the  town  two  days  ago  for  Win- 
chester ;  these  were  of  the  Hessians  taken  at  Trenton  on  the 
night  of  the  24th  of  12th  month  last, 

22d  day  of  9th  month. — We  left  Lebanon  about  ten  o'clock, 
dined  at  Hummeltown:  while  there  several  of  our  company  went 
about  a  mile  to  see  the  great  cave,  a  subterranean  cavern  sup- 
ported internally  by  limestone  rocks,  through  which  the  water 
dripping  in  many  places,  forms  pillars,  or  petrifies.  The  water 
turns  to  stone  any  object  on  which  it  falls,  as  straw,  leaves,  &c. 

We  crossed  the  Swatara  creek,  and  reached  Harris's  Ferry 
in  the  evening,  where  John  Harris  entertained  us  with  the  best 
he  had  ;  though  our  lodgings  were  by  no  means  decent  or 
clean.  The  house  is  of  sixty-four  feet  front,  and  well  built  and 
finished. 

We  have  passed,  during  the  last  three  days  through  a  very 
fertile  country,  between  the  North  and  South  mountains. 

28th  day  of  9th  month. — About  nine  o'clock  our  four  bag- 
gage wagons  were  driven  into  the  Susquehanna  River  at  the 
ford,  about  a  mile  over,  and  followed  immediately  by  two  one- 
horse  chairs,  seven  of  our  company,  and  one  of  our  servants 
on  horseback ;  the  next  partly  in  two  canoes,  and  partly  in  the 
carriages,  attended  by  seven  guards  on  horseback.  We  reached 
the  western  shore  about  eleven  o'clock.  The  water,  crossing, 
was  about  three  feet  in  depth.  On  landing,  we  received  a 
present  of  six  large  rockfish,  sent  us  by  William  Patterson, 
who  lives  in  the  neighbourhood.    We  reached  Carlisle  about 


JOURNEY  TO  VIRGINIA. 


145 


four  o'clock,  where  we  met  with  an  agreeable  reception.  We 
stopped  at  White's  tavern,  where  several  of  the  inhabitants 
came  to  see  us  ;  but  the  inn  not  affording  sufficient  accommoda- 
tion, six  of  us  accepted  invitations  to  lodge  out  among  the  in- 
habitants, where  we  were  very  kindly  entertained. 

Carlisle,  24th  and  25th  of  9th  month. — Unlading  and  ad- 
justing our  baggage  ;  remained  at  the  inn,  &c.  25th,  morning. 
Daniel  Levan  having  let  us  know  the  wagons  were  ready 
again,  our  stores  and  baggage  were  put  into  them,  to  go  ofl' 
in  the  morning.  We  received  a  letter  from  Doctor  Kearsly, 
now  closely  confined  in  the  county  jail,  expressing  a  desire  to 
see  us ;  but  as  it  could  not  be  done  without  giving  offence,  we 
declined  it,  but  sent  him  a  verbal  message  by  Charles  Lukens. 

We  now  demanded  of  Daniel  Levan,  copies  of  the  papers 
he  had  related  to  us ;  and  he  left  them  with  us  for  the  purpose. 
They  are  as  follows,  certified  by  him. 

"IN  COUNCIL. 

"Philadelphia,  September  lOlh,  1777. 

"  Sir, 

"  The  subject  of  the  present  letter  is  the  removal  of  several 
gentlemen  of  this  city,  by  orders  of  Council,  and  of  the  State. 

"  They  have  uniformly  manifested,  in  their  general  conduct 
and  conversation,  a  disposition  highly  inimical  to  the  cause  of 
America.  Their  stay  of  course  in  this  city,  in  the  time  of  in- 
vasion and  danger,  is  become  highly  improper. 

"  You  will  find  by  the  enclosed  instructions  the  place  they 
are  destined  for,  and  the  mode  of  removing  them.  Messrs. 
Alexander  Nesbitt  and  Samuel  Caldwell,  two  of  the  light 
horse  militia  of  this  city,  with  a  party  of  City  Guards  on  horse- 
back, are  the  escort  to  Reading.  These  gentlemen  will  be  able 
to  inform  you  of  the  guard  it  will  be  proper  to  send  forward. 

"  The  first  plan  was  to  send  a  sufficient  party  of  these  light 
horse  to  Virginia,  but  the  present  approach  of  General  Howe, 
calls  them  to  camp.    I  therefore  must  request  you  to  look  out 

10 


146 


EXILES  FROM  PENNSYLVANIA. 


for  a  person  of  humanity,  good  breeding,  and  firmness,  to 
superintend  the  further  conveyance  of  these  gentlemen  to 
Staunton,  and  to  assist  with  a  proper  escort  mounted  on 
horseback. 

"  You  may  see  by  the  instructions  for  this  officer,  which  are 
enclosed,  that  all  politeness  towards  the  prisoners,  and  due 
attention  to  their  comfort  is  desired ;  every  charge  from  you 
on  this  head  will  doubtless  be  given. 

"  I  send  you  by  John  Oldt,  Esq.,  the  sum  of  five  hundred 
pounds,  to  be  applied  to  defray  the  expenses  of  the  journey. 
Messrs.  Alexander  Nesbitt  and  Samuel  Caldwell  have  received 
the  sum  of  one  hundred  pounds,  for  the  same  purpose,  till  the 
prisoners  are  delivered  to  you;  they  will  pay  you  the  remainder, 
after  providing  for  their  own  charges  homeward. 

"  You  have  also  with  this  letter,  an  order  directed  to  the 
lieutenants  and  sub-lieutenants  of  Lancaster  and  Cumberland 
counties,  to  give  you  every  necessary  assistance,  and  Messrs. 
Alexander  Nesbitt  and  Samuel  Caldwell  will  deliver  to  you 
the  despatches  for  the  War  Office  of  Congress,  relative  to  their 
passage  through  Maryland  and  Virginia,  and  reception  at 
Staunton.  It  will  be  proper  that  you  add  to  these  an  open  letter 
to  the  lieutenants  and  sub-lieutenants  of  Lancaster  and  Cumber- 
land counties,  and  all  other  officers  of  this  State  and  elsewhere, 
attesting  and  certifying  that  your  superintendent  is  the  officer 
entrusted  with  this  business. 

"  The  light  wagons  must  necessarily  go  on,  and  likewise  the 
heavy  ones,  unless  others  are  substituted.  This  information  is 
given  betimes,  that  no  delay  may  take  place  at  Reading. 

"  Thomas  Wharton,  Jr., 

President." 

Endorsed, 

"  To  Colonel  Jacob  Morgan,  Lieutenant  of  the  County  of 
Berks- 

A  true  copy,  taken  from  and  compared  with  the  original. 

"  Daniel  Levan,  Jr. 

"Carlisle,  September  25th,  1777." 


JOURNEY  TO  VIRGINIA. 


147 


"IN  COUNCIL. 

"Philadelphia,  September  10th,  1777. 

"  Sir, 

'•The  bearer  hereof,  Daniel  Levan,  Esq.,  is  appointed  by 
Colonel  Jacob  Morgan,  to  superintend  an  escort,  conducting  a 
number  of  disaffected  persons  to  Staunton,  in  Virginia,  by- 
order  of  Council ;  any  assistance  which  may  be  found  neces- 
sary in  this  duty,  you  are  hereby  requested  to  afford  them. 
"  I  am,  with  great  respect, 

"  Your  very  humble  servant, 

"  George  Bryan, 

"  Vice-President. 

"  To  the  lieutenants  and  sub-lieutenants  of  the  counties  of 
Lancaster  and  Cumberland." 

"  A  true  copy,  taken  from  the  original. 

"  Daniel  Levan,  Jr. 

"Carlisle,  September  25th,  1777." 

N.  B. — This  was  sent  to  Reading  with  a  blank  space  for  the 
bearers'  names,  which  was  filled  up  by  Jacob  Morgan,  with  the 
name  of  Daniel  Levan,  Esq. 

"IN  COUNCIL. 

"  Philadelphia,  September  10th,  1777. 

"  Instructions  to  the  gentlemen  to  whom  Colonel  Jacob  Mor- 
gan, Lieutenant  of  Berks  County,  shall  commit  the  charge  of 
certain  prisoners,  sent  from  Philadelphia,  for  Staunton,  in  Vir- 
ginia, under  the  conduct  of  Messrs.  Alexander  Nesbitl  and 

 ,  who  are  to  deliver  them  to  the  said  Colonel 

Morgan,  at  Reading. 

"  You  will  proceed  by  the  common  road  through  Carlisle  with 
these  persons,  to  Staunton,  in  Augusta,  in  the  State  of  Virginia^ 


148 


EXILES  FROM  PENNSYLVANIA. 


You  will  send  them  with  light,  covered  wagons,  in  such  manner 
as  not  to  be  crowded.  Your  careful  attendance  throughout 
will  be  necessary.  Every  suitable  accommodation  should  be 
procured  for  them  on  the  way.  But  while  you  manifest  polite- 
ness and  tenderness,  a  proper  degree  of  firmness  and  watchful- 
ness will  also  be  required. 

"With  these  instructions,  you  have  an  order  directed  to  the 
lieutenants  and  sub-lieutenants  of  Lancaster  and  Cumberland 
counties,  to  aid  you  in  all  cases  which  may  be  needful. 

"  If  the  gentlemen  prisoners,  or  any  of  them,  prefer  carriages 
provided  by  themselves,  they  are  to  be  permitted  to  use  them, 
but  they  are  to  keep  them  through  the  journey. 

"  When  you  get  into  Maryland  and  Virginia,  you  will  look 
into  the  despatches  from  the  War  Office,  and  take  directions 
from  them. 

"You  will,  we  doubt  not,  in  consequence,  be  assisted  by  the 
officers  of  these  States,  and  on  your  arrival  at  Staunton,  the 
prisoners  are  to  be  received  and  treated  according  to  their 
stations. 

"  The  proper  sum  of  money  will  be  advanced  by  Colonel 
Morgan,  to  defray  the  expenses  of  the  gentlemen  committed  to 
your  care.  Of  the  escort,  the  wagons,  and  all  other  expenses, 
a  regular  account  should  be  kept,  and  vouchers  preserved. 

"  Here  follows  a  list  of  the  prisoners,  to  wit : 

James  Pemberton,  Israel  Pemberton, 

Miers  Fisher,  John  Hunt, 

John  Pemberton,  Thomas  Pike, 

Samuel  Pleasants,  Thomas  Fisher, 

Thomas  Gilpin,  Henry  Drinker, 

Samuel  Fisher,  (son  of  Joshua,)  Elijah  Brown, 

Owen  Jones,  jun.,  William  Smith,  (broker,) 

Edward  Pennington,  Thomas  Wharton, 

William  Drewet  Smith,  Charles  Jervis, 

Charles  Eddy,  Thomas  Affleck. 

"  Extract  from  the  minutes. 

"  Timothy  Matlack, 

"  Secretary." 


JOURNEY  TO  VIRGINIA. 


149 


"  A  true  copy,  taken  from  and  compared  with  the  original. 

"  Daniel  Levan,  Jun. 

"Carlisle,  September  25th,  1777." 

"  Pennsylvania,  ss. 

[ls.]  "IN  COUNCIL. 

"  Philadelphia,  September  16,  1777. 

"  Whereas,  Israel  Pemberton,  James  Pemberton,  John  Pem- 
berton,  Thomas  Wharton,  Thomas  Fisher,  (son  of  Joshua,) 
John  Hunt,  Miers  Fisher,  Samuel  Fisher,  (son  of  Joshua,) 
Edward  Pennington,  Henry  Drinker,  Samuel  Pleasants,  Owen 
Jones,  jun.,  Thomas  Gilpin,  Charles  Jervis,  Thomas  Affleck, 
William  Drewet  vSmith,  Thomas  Pike,  William  Smith,  (broker,) 
Elijah  Brown,  and  Charles  Eddy,  have,  in  consequence  of  the 
recommendation  of  Congress,  been  arrested  by  the  Supreme 
Executive  Council  of  Pennsylvania,  as  persons  whose  uniform 
conduct  and  conversation  has  evidenced  that  they  are  highly 
inimical  to  the  thirteen  United  States  of 
George  Bryan,     North  America,  and  to  the  Commonwealth 
Vice-President.     of  Pennsylvania  in  particular,  they  having 
also  declined  to  give  any  assurance  of  alle- 
giance to  this  State,  as  of  right  they  ought ;  and  whereas,  it 
appears  necessary  for  the  public  safety  at  this  time,  when  the 
State  is  invaded  by  a  large  army  of  enemies,  that  the  said  per- 
sons and  every  of  them  should  be  removed  from  the  county  of 
Philadelphia  and  secured  at  some  place  remote  from  the  army 
of  the  enemy. 

"  These  are,  therefore,  to  authorize,  and  empower,  and  require 
Samuel  Caldwell  and  Alexander  Nesbitt,  with  proper  necessary 
assistants,  to  receive  the  bodies  of  the  said  Israel  Pemberton, 
James  Pemberton,  John  Pemberton,  John  Hunt,  Thomas  Fisher, 
(son  of  Joshua,)  Thomas  Wharton,  Owen  Jones,  jun.,  Samuel 
Fisher,  (son  of  Joshua,)  Samuel  Pleasants,  Thomas  Affleck, 
Miers  Fisher,  Thomas  Pike,  Thomas  Gilpin,  William  Drewet 
Smith,  William  Smith,  (broker,)  Elijah  Brown,  Edward  Pen- 
nington, Henry  Drinker,  Charles  Jervis,  and  Charles  Eddy, 


150 


EXILES  FROM  PENNSYLVANIA. 


from  Lewis  Nicola,  Esq.,  in  whose  keeping  they  have  been 
holden,  and  them,  and  every  of  them  to  convey  and  conduct  to 
Reading,  in  Berks  County,  and  there  to  deliver  to  Jacob  Mor- 
gan, Esq.,  Lieutenant  of  the  said  county  of  Berks,  or  to  John 
Oldt,  Esq.,  one  of  the  sub-lieutenants  of  the  said  county  of 
Berks.  And  you,  the  said  Jacob  Morgan,  and  you,  the  said 
John  Oldt,  or  either  of  you,  or  by  persons  by  you  or  either  of 
you  appointed,  are  hereby  commanded  and  authorized  to  re- 
ceive into  your  custody,  or  the  custody  of  either  of  you,  the 
bodies  of  the  said  Israel  Pemberton,  John  Hunt,  James  Pem- 
berton,  John  Pemberton,  Thomas  Wharton,  Edward  Penning- 
ton, Henry  Drinker,  Thomas  Fisher,  (son  of  Joshua,)  Miers 
Fisher,  Thomas  Gilpin,  Samuel  Fisher,  (son  of  Joshua,)  Owen 
Jones,  Samuel  Pleasants,  Charles  Jervis,  Thomas  Affleck, 
William  Drewet  Smith,  Thomas  Pike,  William  Smith,  (broker,) 
Elijah  Brown,  and  Charles  Eddy,  from  the  said  Samuel  Cald- 
well and  Alexander  Nesbitt,  as  aforesaid,  and  any  and  every  of 
them  the  said  persons  represented  as  inimical  and  dangerous, 
with  the  aid  and  help  of  proper  and  effectual  assistants,  to  con- 
vey and  conduct  to  the  town  of  Winchester,  in  the  Common- 
wealth of  Virginia,  there  to  be  secured  and  detained  till  further 
orders  can  be  had  concerning  them,  and  meanwhile  to  be 
treated,  as  well  on  the  road  to  Winchester  as  in  and  after 
arrival  there,  with  all  the  humanity  and  attention  their  cha- 
racters and  stations  require,  not  inconsistent  with  the  securing 
of  their  persons.  And  the  lieutenants  and  sub-lieutenants  of  the 
several  counties  of  this  State,  and  all  officers  of  militia  within 
the  same,  are  hereby  required  to  be  aiding  to  the  said  Samuel 
Caldwell  and  Alexander  Nesbitt,  Jacob  Morgan  and  John 
Oldt,  and  the  persons  employed  by  them  in  conveying  and 
carrying  the  inimical  and  dangerous  persons  aforesaid,  in  the 
manner  and  to  the  place  above  mentioned. 

Given  under  the  Less  Seal  of  the  Common- 
[l.s.]  wealth  of  Pennsylvania,  at  Philadelphia, 

the  day  and  year  above  written. 

"  Attest,       Timothy  Matlack, 

"  Secretary," 


JOURNEY  TO  VIRGINIA. 


151 


"  A  true  copy,  taken  from  the  original,  and  compared  there- 
with, per 

"  Daniel  Levan,  Jun. 

"  Carlisle,  September  25th,  1777." 

"  A  list  of  the  prisoners  ordered  by  the  Supreme  Executive 
Council,  agreeably  to  the  recommendation  of  Congress,  to  be 
removed  to  Staunton,  in  Augusta  County,  in  the  State  of  Vir- 
ginia : 

James  Pemberton,  John  Hunt, 

Henry  Drinker,  Charles  Jervis, 

Israel  Pemberton,  William  Drewet  Smith, 

John  Pemberton,  Charles  Eddy, 

Samuel  Pleasants,  Thomas  Pike, 

Thomas  Wharton,  Owen  Jones,  Jr., 

Thomas  Fisher,  (son  of  Joshua,)  Edward  Pennington, 
Samuel  Fisher,  (son  of  Joshua,)  William  Smith,  (broker,) 
Miers  Fisher,  Elijah  Brown, 

Thomas  Gilpin,  Thomas  Affleck. 

"  Timothy  Matlack, 

"  Secretary. 

"  Philadelphia,  September  lOth,  1777." 


"  War  Office,  September  10th,  1777. 

"  The  within-mentioned  persons,  prisoners,  taken  and  confined 
by  the  Honourable,  the  Executive  Council  of  Pennsylvania,  will 
be  guarded  through  this  State,  on  their  way  to  Staunton,  in 
Augusta  County,  in  Virginia,  where  they  are  directed  to  reside, 
and  to  which  place  they  are  to  be  safely  conveyed  by  direction 
of  the  said  Council ;  but  after  passing  the  limits  of  this  State, 
the  lieutenants  of  the  counties,  or  commanding  officers  of  the 
militia  of  the  several  counties  in  the  States  of  Maryland  and 
Virginia,  adjacent  to,  or  through  which  the  road  to  Staunton 
runs,  are  desired  to  furnish  proper  guards,  from  time  to  time, 
within  the  several  jurisdictions,  as  occasion  may  require,  taking 
care  that  no  unnecessary  delay  is  used,  and  exercising  every 


152 


EXILES  FROM  PENNSYLVANIA. 


indulgence  towards  the  prisoners  consistent  with  the  safety  of 
their  persons.  Every  means  is  to  be  used  to  expedite  the  journey. 
The  officers  of  the  guards,  from  time  to  time,  will  see  that  the 
prisoners  are  treated  agreeably  to  their  characters  and  be- 
haviour, but  will  prevent  their  spreading  abroad  any  papers 
through  the  country,  or  by  other  means,  under  the  mask  of 
justifying  themselves,  disseminating  sedition,  discord,  and  un- 
easiness among  the  good  people  of  these  States.  These  orders 
to  be  delivered  over  by  the  officer  first  receiving  it,  to  his  suc- 
cessor, and  finally  to  be  lodged  with  the  lieutenant  or  com- 
manding officer  of  militia,  in  Augusta  County,  Virginia, 
together  with  the  letter  directed  to  him. 

"  By  order  of  the  Board  of  War. 

"  Richard  Peters, 

"  Secretary." 

"Reading,  September  17th,  177T. 

"  As  I  have  seen  the  orders  of  the  Executive  Council  of 
Pennsylvania,  who  have  had  the  management  of  this  business, 
whereby  it  appears  the  prisoners  are  not  to  proceed  to 
Staunton,  I  have  detained  the  letter  to  the  lieutenant  of  Augusta, 
mentioned  above,  and  as  no  doubt  Congress  have  sent  orders 
for  their  being  detained  at  Winchester,  the  lieutenant  of  the 
county  will  be  pleased  to  regulate  himself  by  any  order  of 
Congress  which  may  be  produced  by  him,  if  no  such  order 
appears.    The  above  directions  are  to  be  pursued. 

"  Richard  Peters, 

"  Secretary  at  War." 

"  A  true  copy,  taken  from  and  compared  with  the  original. 

"  Daniel  Levan,  Jk. 

"  Carlisle,  September  25th,  1777." 


JOURNEY  TO  VIRGINIA. 


153 


"  GeiNTLEMEN, — 

"  The  President  and  Council,  by  a  special  war- 
[l.s.]  rant,  under  the  less  seal  of  the  Commonwealth 
of  Pennsylvania,  to  me  directed,  have  ordered 
the  removal  of  several  gentlemen  from  this  place  to  Winchester, 
in  Virginia,  there  to  remain  under  a  proper  guard,  until  further 
orders.  They  have  uniformly  manifested  in  their  general  cha- 
racter and  conversation,  a  disposition  highly  inimical  to  the 
cause  of  America. 

"  These  are,  therefore,  to  attest  and  certify  that  I  have 
nominated,  constituted,  and  appointed  Daniel  Levan,  Jr.,  Esq., 
High  Sheriff  of  Berks  County,  in  the  said  Commonwealth,  the 
officer  and  superintendent  of  the  said  business. 

"And  I  do  hereby,  in  pursuance  of  certain  powers  to  me 
given,  earnestly  request  and  desire  the  lieutenant,  and  sub- 
lieutenant, and  all  other  officers,  civil  and  military,  in  this  State 
and  elsewhere,  to  be  aiding  and  assisting  in  the  removal  of  the 
said  gentlemen  to  Winchester  aforesaid.  And  that  all  polite- 
ness to  the  prisoners  and  due  attention  to  their  comfort  is 
earnestly  required. 

"Given  under  my  hand  and  seal,  at  Reading,  in  the  county 
of  Berks,  the  20th  day  of  September,  A.  D.  1777. 

"  Jacob  Morgan, 

"  Lieutenant." 

"  To  all  lieutenants,  sub-lieutenants,  and  other  officers,  civil 
and  military,  in  the  State  of  Pennsylvania,  and  elsewhere." 

Endorsed : 

"  To  the  lieutenants,  sub-lieutenants,  and  all  other  officers, 
civil  and  military,  in  the  Thirteen  United  States  of  America. 

"  Daniel  Levan,  Jr." 

From  these  papers  may  be  easily  seen  the  irregular  manner 
in  which  the  Council  proceeded  through  this  whole  business. 
An  order  was  made  for  our  removal,  and  delivered  to 


154 


EXILES  FROM  PENNSYLVANIA. 


Alexander  Nesbitt  and  Samuel  Caldwell,  a  copy  of  which  we 
iiave  not  procured.  That  only  related  to  our  journey  as  far  as 
Reading.  From  thence  we  were  to  be  taken  to  Staunton  by 
virtue  of  the  papers  dated  September  10th,  by  which  it  appears 
that  Council  gave  power  to  Jacob  Morgan  to  choose  our  con- 
ductor, and  fill  up  a  blank  space  left  in  the  warrant  in  his 
appointment  with  his  name. 

When  the  writs  of  habeas  corpus  were  served  on  our  keepers 
at  Pottsgrove,  they  were  at  a  loss  what  to  do,  and  the  Council 
equally  puzzled.  Yet,  determined  to  blunder  through  the 
matter,  issued  the  warrant  dated  the  16th,  which  is  directed 
to  our  keepers  at  Philadelphia,  and  commands  them  to  re- 
move us  to  Reading,  though  we  had  been  removed  five  days 
before  it  was  dated.  The  intention  in  this  jumble  of  incon- 
sistencies was,  probably,  to  supersede  the  writs  of  habeas 
corpus  by  a  warrant  of  a  later  date,  which  they  apprehended 
would  more  readily  be  obeyed  than  the  writs  ;  to  insure  which, 
they  procured  the  Assembly  to  publish  an  intended  act  to  in- 
demnify all  persons  acting  contrary  to  law  under  their  authority. 

This  bill,  though  not  known  at  that  time  to  be  enacted  into  a 
law,  had  the  desired  eflfect,  and  induced  the  lieutenant  of  Berks 
to  send  us  forward. 

The  alteration  of  our  residence,  from  Staunton  to  Win- 
chester, we  understand  was  made  at  the  instance  of  Isaac 
Zane,  Jr.,  without  our  knowledge;  but  the  latter  warrant  con- 
taining no  countermand  of  former  orders,  our  keepers  thought 
it  necessary  to  apply  to  Richard  Peters,  who  happened  to  be 
at  Reading.  He  undertook,  without  consulting  the  Board  of 
War,  to  write  the  note  dated  the  17th,  at  the  foot  of  the 
directions  from  that  office,  and  to  detain  the  letter  respecting 
us,  directed  to  the  lieutenant  of  Augusta  County,  not  certainly 
knowing  that  we  should  be  stopped  at  Winchester,  and  without 
giving  any  instructions  to  the  lieutenant,  or  to  any  other  person 
there  concerning  us. 

Carlisle,  26th  of  9th  month. — We  all  put  forward  before 
eight  o'clock,  being  joined  by  two  additional  guards.    We  met 


JOURNEY  TO  VIRGINIA. 


155 


w  ith  no  insult  during  our  stay  at  Carlisle,  but  on  our  leaving  it, 
a  number  of  armed  men,  who  were  on  their  way  to  the  camp, 
and  one  of  them,  who  presented  his  gun  at  most  of  us,  made 
use  of  abusive  and  threatening  language.  We  dined  seven 
miles  from  Carlisle,  at  Robert  Semple's  inn  ;  he  treated  us 
kindly,  and  we  set  off  early  and  reached  Shippensburg  at  four 
o'clock,  where  we  had  very  good  quarters. 

We  were  confirmed  here  in  an  account  we  had  at  Lebanon, 
that  a  malicious  and  false  representation  of  us  and  of  our 
Society,  by  an  anonymous  writer,  which  had  been  published  in 
Bradford's  paper  before  we  left  Philadelphia,  had  been  reprinted 
in  a  handbill  by  William  and  Thomas  Bradford,  and  sent  into 
this  part  of  the  country  to  deceive  people,  and  encourage  them 
against  us.  It  is  worthy  of  thankful  remembrance,  that  as  we 
were  setting  together  this  evening,  our  minds  were  drawn  into 
a  solemn  quiet  and  peace,  and  we  had  renewed  cause  to  trust 
in  our  Great  Preserver,  whose  good  presence  was  sensibly  felt 
among  us. 

In  Thomas  Gilpin's  Journal,  he  writes,  "  Very  false  ideas 
and  information  are  spread  through  the  country  concerning  us, 
by  which  people  are  grossly  imposed  upon,  and  made  to  be- 
lieve that  we  are  the  cause  of  distress  and  bloodshed,  instead 
of  those  who  are  really  the  cause  of  it ;  and  which  false 
opinion  ought  to  be  set  right." 

27lh.  —  We  left  Shippensburg  about  eight  o'clock,  and 
reached  Henry  Pauling's,  twenty-four  miles,  at  night ;  on  our 
way  we  stopped  at  Chamberstown  to  dinner,  but  there  was 
none  to  be  had.  We  fed  the  horses,  and  got  some  bread  and 
cheese  out  of  our  wagons.  Henry  Pauling's  was  a  private 
house,  but  small ;  he  treated  us  very  kindly.  We  had  to  obtain 
lodging  through  the  neighbourhood.  Most  of  our  guards  were 
also  dispersed.  Four  of  us,  John  Hunt,  Thomas  Wharton, 
Thomas  Fisher,  and  Miers  Fisher,  went  three  miles  off  the 
road  to  Dr.  Kneavely's  tavern.  Henry  Drinker  and  Samuel 
Pleasants,  to  William  Allison's.    Thomas  Gilpin  to  the  Widow 


156 


EXILES  FROM  PENNSYLVANIA. 


Smith's.  The  remainder  of  the  company  well  accommodated, 
though  several  of  them  laid  on  straw  before  the  fire. 

28\h  day  of  9th  month. — This  morning,  the  four  persons  who 
were  at  Dr.  Kneavely's  went  forward,  and  at  about  four 
miles,  met  with  most  of  the  guards  at  a  house  on  the  road, 
where  they  had  lodged,  and  concluded  to  go  on  to  Watkins's 
Ferry,  at  the  Potomac  River,  to  make  what  provisions  they 
could  for  the  company,  expecting  us  all  to  dine  there. 

They  stopped  at  the  house  on  the  north  side,  where  the  land- 
lord absolutely  refused  to  receive  the  coinpany,  but  said  they 
could  be  accommodated  at  the  house  on  the  south  side.  While 
the  horses  were  crossing  the  ford,  Adam  Drinkhouse,  one  of  the 
guards,  overtook  them,  to  stop  them  ;  the  rest  came  up,  but  on 
representing  what  had  passed  at  the  ferry-house,  he  crossed 
the  river  with  them,  to  wait  on  the  south  side.  But  there  was 
no  provision  made ;  every  thing  was  in  a  wretched  state,  and 
so  continued  from  place  to  place,  being  at  several  other  places 
refused  admittance,  till  they  came  to  a  tavern  about  twenty 
miles  on,  called  the  Red  House,  kept  by  Robert  Watts,  where 
they  got  some  refreshment.  Some  of  the  company,  John  Pem- 
berton  and  others,  who  stayed  at  Pauling's  last  night,  were  not 
satisfied  to  go  on,  but  stopped  at  the  line  of  Maryland,  about 
three  and  a  half  miles,  to  see  the  sherifl",  and  make  a  protest  at 
being  taken  out  of  the  State  of  Pennsylvania,  and  from  thence 
to  go  into  Virginia,  which  they  did  before  witnesses.  The 
witnesses  were  Henry  Pauling  and  William  Atkinson,  jun.,  and 
the  persons  protested  against  were,  William  Lower,  Leonard 
Thomas,  who  acted  as  guards  at  Chamberstown,  and  Beamer, 
the  schoolmaster. 

We  sent  for  our  friend  Edward  Beason,  who  lives  about  half 
a  mile  further,  who  came  with  Lewis  Walker;  and  our  friends 
Edward  Pennington,  Owen  Jones,  jun.,  William  Smith,  S.  R. 
Fisher,  Thomas  Affleck,  Charles  Eddy,  Charles  Jervis,  Elijah 
Brown,  James  Pemberton,  and  Thomas  Gilpin,  came  up,  and 
at  the  Red  House,  E.  Beason's,  and  Lewis  Walker's,  sixteen  of 
us  were  lodged. 


JOURNEY  TO  VIRGINIA. 


157 


29th. — Israel  Pemberton,  John  Pemberton,  Henry  Drinker, 
and  Samuel  Pleasants,  had  stayed  at  Robert  Watts's.  They, 
together  with  Thomas  Pike  and  William  Drewet  Smith,  pro- 
tested at  Henry  Pauling's,  near  the  line  of  Maryland,  and  at 
Eli  Williams's,  on  the  north  side  of  the  Potomac,  against  being 
sent  out  of  Pennsylvania  into  Maryland,  and  thence  into  Vir- 
ginia, and  against  the  force  used  to  take  them. 

We  sent  off  a  person  to  our  friend  Isaac  Zane,  to  inform  him 
of  our  coming,  and  having  dined  at  about  twelve  miles,  reached 
Winchester  at  about  six  o'clock,  where  we  were  conducted 
to  the  Inn  of  Philip  Bush.  Thomas  Gilpin,  Thomas  Fisher, 
Samuel  R.  Fisher,  and  Miers  Fisher,  went  to  Rachael  Hollings- 
worth's  to  lodge. 

In  the  evening  we  met  with  Isaac  Zane,  jun.  John  Smith, 
Lieutenant  of  Frederick  County,  Colonel  and  Lieutenant- 
Sheriff  M'Levan,  and  Colonel  Lowther  came  to  see  us. 

Daniel  Levan  delivered  to  Lieutenant  John  Smith,  the  several 
papers  respecting  us.  They  were  read  in  his  hearing,  and 
some  remarks  were  made.  The  Lieutenant  offered  to  give  us 
the  liberty  of  the  town  if  we  would  promise  not  to  converse 
with  the  people  on  any  political  subject. 

In  answer  to  this,  we  told  him  that  our  principles  restrained 
us  from  joining  in  any  party  strife,  contention,  or  wars  ;  but  as 
we  did  not  fully  understand  the  extent  of  his  restrictions,  it 
would  be  better  for  us  to  consider  about  them.  In  the  course 
of  our  conversation  he  assured  us  he  did  not  mean  to  restrict 
us  from  justifying  ourselves. 

In  regard  to  the  papers  delivered  him,  he  remarked  they 
were  very  much  confused,  and  did  not  contain  such  directions 
as  would  authorize  him  to  take  charge  of  us,  as  he  did  not 
look  upon  himself  obliged  to  obey  any  orders  of  Congress  or 
the  Council  of  Pennsylvania,  unless  he  had  the  sanction  of  the 
executive  powers  of  this  government. 

This  evening,  a  packet,  directed  to  the  Lieutenant  of  Augusta 
County,  endorsed  "  War  Office,  on  Public  Service,"  and  sent 
forward  by  our  escort  from  Reading,  was  opened  in  the  pre- 


158 


EXILKS  FROM  PENNSYLVANIA. 


sence  of  some  of  us,  when  it  was  found  to  contain  nothing  but 
a  Philadelphia  newspaper,  replete  with  malicious  forgeries  and 
falsehoods,  all  of  which  were  manifestly  intended  to  prejudice 
the  minds  of  the  people  and  lay  us  open  to  insult  and  abuse. 

As  we  could  not  all  be  accommodated  with  lod";ino;s  at 
Philip  Bush's,  Henry  Drinker  and  Charles  Eddy  went  to 
Benjamin  Shreeve's,  William  Smith  and  Elijah  Brown,  to 
Frederick  Conrad's,  and  Thomas  Gilpin,  Thomas  Fisher, 
Samuel  R.  Fisher,  and  Miers  Fisher,  to  Rachael  Hollings- 
worth's,  about  a  mile  out  of  town. 


RESIDENCE  AT  W  I  N  C  H  E  S  T  E  R,  V 1  R  G  I  N  I  A. 

Winchester,  30th  of  9th  month. — On  considering  the  manner 
of  our  being  sent  here,  and  our  present  situation,  we  thought  it 
necessary  to  draw  up  some  queries  for  the  consideration  of 
John  Smith,  which  having  agreed  to  were  accordingly  de- 
livered to  him,  and  are  as  follows : 

The  inhabitants  of  Philadelphia,  now  at  Philip  Bush's,  think 
it  proper  to  inform  the  Lieutenant  of  the  County  of  Frederick  of 
some  circumstances  attending  their  removal  from  Pennsylvania, 
and  to  propose  to  his  consideration  others  which  relate  to  their 
future  situation. 

They  were  arrested  in  their  dwellings  in  and  near  the  city 
of  Philadelphia,  and  confined  some  days,  by  the  order  of  the 
President  and  Supreme  Council  of  the  State  of  Pennsylvania. 

They  remonstrated  repeatedly  to  them  the  injustice  of  the 
proceeding,  and,  asserting  their  innocence,  demanded  a  hear- 
ing as  the  inherent  right  of  every  freeman,  but  could  obtain 
none.  They  were  ordered  to  be  sent  to  Virginia  unheard.  In 
order  to  avail  themselves  hereafter,  they  protested  regularly 
against  all  the  proceedings  respecting  them  as  arbitrary,  un- 
just, and  unwarranted  by  any  law.  They  were  removed  from 
their  families  by  force,  (after  having  again  protested  against 


RESIDENCE  AT  WINCHESTER. 


159 


all  the  actors  under  the  President  and  Council,)  to  Reading, 
where  writs  of  habeas  corpus  aUowed  by  the  Chief  Justice  of 
Pennsylvania,  were  served  on  their  kfepers,  icho  refused  to  obey 
them.  They  were  removed  from  thence  to  S.  Pauling's,  near 
the  line  of  Maryland,  where  they  again  protested  against 
the  power  of  their  keepers  to  carry  them  beyond  that  line. 
They  were  then  brought  to  the  State  of  Virginia,  where  they 
protested  in  the  same  manner.  All  these  protests  were  regu- 
larly made  in  the  presence  of  witnesses. 

Thus  far  they  thought  it  their  duty  to  acquaint  the  Lieute- 
nant of  Frederick,  and  at  the  same  time  acknowledge  the  po- 
liteness he  has  shown  in  the  conferences  they  had  with  him. 
They  now  propose  to  him  the  following  questions,  the  answers 
to  which  they  request  him  to  give  them  in  writing,  viz. : 

1st.  Whether  he  conceives  from  the  papers  delivered  to  him 
by  Daniel  Levan  and  Isaac  Zane,  that  they  are  the  prisoners 
of  Congress,  or  of  the  Council  of  Pennsylvania,  or  prisoners  of 
war  1 

2d.  Whether,  if  he  deems  them  prisoners  of  Congress,  he 
has  any  authority  to  take  charge  of  them  ? 

3d.  Whether,  if  he  deems  them  prisoners  of  the  Council  of 
Pennsylvania,  do  any  of  the  papers  give  him  authority  to  take 
charge  of  them  ? 

4th.  If  he  considers  himself  authorized  to  take  charge  of  them, 
whether  he  will  provide  for  their  comfortable  accommodation 
at  Winchester,  according  to  their  character  and  stations,  as 
the  papers  referred,  to  direct  ? 

Winchester,  30th  of  9th  month,  1777. 

Several  of  our  friends  having  called  to  see  us  last  evening 
and  this  morning,  wc  were  informed  it  had  given  great  offence. 
This  laid  us  under  the  disagreeable  necessity  of  requesting 
them  to  discontinue  their  visits  until  the  people  should  be  re- 
conciled to  our  being  here,  but  this  did  not  appear  to  be  the 
case.  We  believed  it  owing  to  the  conduct  of  our  guards,  who 
prejudiced  the  minds  of  the  people  before  under  wrong  impres- 
sions. 


160 


EXILES  FROM  PENNSYLVANIA. 


A  number  of  armed  men,  said  to  be  about  thirty,  collected 
about  noon  at  the  door  of  our  lodgings,  demanding  our  imme- 
diate removal.  But  after  some  time,  and  several  proposals,  it 
was  agreed  that  we  should  confine  ourselves  to  the  house,  and 
have  no  communication  with  any  of  the  inhabitants.  A  guard 
was  placed  at  the  door  by  Lieutenant  John  Smith,  and  in  a  few 
hours  he  acquainted  us  he  had  prevailed  on  the  people  to  suffer 
us  to  remain  till  he  could  write  to  Congress  and  the  Governor 
of  Virginia,  for  further  directions  concerning  us. 

We  collected  together  this  evening  in  a  degree  of  retirement 
and  religious  quiet,  and  advice  was  dropped  exciting  us  to  a 
steady  reliance  on  the  arm  of  Almighty  Power,  under  every 
afflicting  and  trying  dispensation. 

Our  whole  company  is  accommodated  this  evening  at  Philip 
Bush's,  with  the  help  of  our  own  bedding. 

This  day,  about  three  hundred  Hessians,  (of  those  taken  at 
Trenton,  by  General  Washington,)  sent  by  Isaac  Zane  from 
Lebanon,  were  drawn  up  and  parcelled  out  to  the  country 
people  to  work ;  some  sent  to  the  public  works,  by  which  they 
are  gainers,  as  they  have  their  pay  from  the  Crown  of  England, 
and  are  paid  also  by  the  people  for  their  work  here. 

This  scheme,  or  plan,  has  many  consequences.  There  are 
six  hundred  more  of  them  at  Lebanon,  and  they  are  hired  out 
at  $7  50  per  month,  to  be  returned  when  called  for. 

Winchester,  1st  of  10th  month,  1777.— This  morning,  after 
a  further  conference  with  the  Lieutenant,  John  Smith,  he  pro- 
posed to  write  to  the  Governor  of  Virginia  and  Congress,  for 
directions  concerning  us ;  and  we  were  to  do  so  also,  each 
showing  the  letters  to  the  other.  Thomas  Wharton,  Edward 
Pennington,  James  Pemberton,  and  Miers  Fisher,  were  ap- 
pointed to  prepare  an  address  to  the  Governor  and  Council  of 
Virginia,  and  a  remonstrance  to  Congress,  to  go  with  John 
Smith's  letters. 

About  noon,  Daniel  Levan  and  John  Smith  attended.  John 
Smith  repeated  what  he  had  said  before,  concerning  the  papers, 


RESIDENCE  AT  WINCHESTER. 


161 


and  refusing  to  take  charge  of  us,  but  he  concluded  to  accept 
a  conditional  charge  over  us,  and  he  gave  a  receipt,  which 
Danfei  Levan  gave  us  the  substance  of,  as  follows: 

Daniel  Levan,  jun.,  had  offered  to  deliver  into  the  charge  of 
John  Smith,  Lieutenant  of  Frederick  County,  Virginia,  the 
several  persons,  (whose  names  are  mentioned,)  but  he  cannot 
deliver  them  as  prisoners,  from  the  confused  manner  in  which 
the  papers  concerning  ihem  are  drawn  up,  as  well  as  the  pre- 
sent disposition  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  town  of  Winchester. 
He  therefore  agrees  to  place  a  guard  over  them  till  further  in- 
structions can  be  had  from  the  Governor  of  Virginia. 

The  following  arc  copies  of  two  letters  ordering  our  being 
slopped  at  Winchester,  delivered  to  us  by  Isaac  Zane. 

"Philadelphia,  17th  of  September,  1777. 

"  Sir,— 

"  A  new  application  has  been  made  to  Congress  on  behalf  of 
the  prisoners  who  are  gone  for  Staunton,  in  Virginia. 

"It  is  represented  that  at  Winchester  they  maybe  more 
comfortably  accommodated  and  equally  well  secured.  In  my 
former  letters  on  this  subject,  Winchester  or  Augusta  were 
proposed.  Congress  fixed  on  Staunton.  They  doubtless  had 
their  reasons ;  but  if  it  now  appears  proper  to  stop  them  at 
Winchester,  directions  from  your  body  to  the  Board  of  War^ 
can  dispose  matters  accordingly ;  for  it  is  a  matter  of  in- 
difference to  Council. 

"  I  am,  sir,  your  most  obedient  humble  servant, 

*•  Thomas  Wharton,  jun., 

"  President. 

"  John  Hancock,  Esq." 

"  To  the  County  Lieutenant  of  Frederick  County,  Virginia^ 
and  to  the  commanding  officer  who  has  charge  of  the  above 
prisoners. 

11 


163 


EXILES  FROM  PENNSYLVANIA. 


"  The  Continental  Board  of  War  have  directed  me  to 
communicate  to  you  their  consent,  that  the  said  prisoners  be 
stopped  at  Winchester,  and  there  accommodated  according  to 
former  instructions. 

"  John  Adams, 

"  Chairman. 

"Philadelphia,  September  13,  1777." 

John  Smith,  the  Lieutenant,  gave  us  a  copy  of  his  letter  to 
the  Congress,  which  contains  some  matters  injurious  to  the 
Society  in  general ;  those  parts  being  remarked  upon  by  John 
Hunt,  Henry  Drinker,  and  James  Pemberton,  he  made  some 
alterations,  and  allowed  us  to  take  a  copy,  which  is  as  follows  : 

"Virginia,  Frederick,  Winchester,  October  1st,  1777. 

"  Sir,— 

"  Two  days  since,  the  Sheriff  of  Berks  County,  in  the  State 
of  Pennsylvania,  arrived  at  this  place  with  charge  of  a  number 
of  prisoners,  sent  by  the  Executive  Council  of  Pennsylvania, 
•with  the  approbation  of  Congress,  to  the  care  of  the  Lieutenant 
of  this  county. 

"  The  peculiar  situation  of  these  prisoners  has  left  me  at  a 
loss  what  part  to  take.  On  examining  the  papers  addressed  to 
the  sheriff,  I  found  the  orders  so  exceedingly  confused  that  I 
could  not  discover  upon  what  terms  the  prisoners  should  be  re- 
ceived, nor  in  what  manner  they  were  to  be  supported  during 
their  continuance  here. 

"  The  sheriff  informed  me  they  were  sent  to  Winchester  at 
the  public  expense  ;  and  the  prisoners  expected  to  be  maintained 
in  the  same  manner  while  in  confinement.  Jls  I  have  received 
no  orders  sufficiently  positive  to  make  such  provisions,  and  as  it 
is  contrary  to  the  usual  mode  of  treating  men  of  their  order 
in  this  State,  /  have  refused  to  make  any  such  engagement,  nor 
can  I  say  that  I  have  received  the  prisoners  agreeably  to  any 
order  whatever,  my  reasons  for  which  I  hope  will  be  a  sufficient 
excuse. 


RESIDENCE  AT  WINCHESTER. 


163 


"  The  inhabitants  in  this  part  of  the  country  are,  in  general, 
much  exasperated  against  the  whole  Society  of  Quakers.  The 
people  were  taught  to  suppose  these  people  were  Tories,  and 
the  leaders  of  the  Quakers, — and  two  nnore  offensive  stignnas,  in 
their  estinnation,  could  not  be  fixed  upon  men ;  in  short,  they 
determined  not  to  permit  them  to  remain  in  Winchester,  for 
fear  of  their  holding  a  correspondence  with  the  Friends  of  the 
adjoining  counties. 

*'  It  u  as  u-ith  the  utmost  exertion  of  my  injluence  with  an 
enraged  multitude,  that  I  prevented  the  greatest  violence  being 
offered  to  these  men,  and  that  only  upon  a  promise  that  they 
should  be  continued  here  no  longer  than  Congress  should  give 
orders  for  their  removal. 

"  These,  sir,  have  been  the  reasons  which  have  induced  me 
to  write  to  Congress  upon  the  subject ;  for  /  can  assure  you 
their  lives  will  be  endangered  by  their  staying  at  Winchester. 
I  have  sent  you  a  copy  of  such  orders  as  I  have  received,  and 
a  list  of  the  prisoners'  names. 

"  I  shall  write  to  Governor  Henry  and  acquaint  him  with 
what  has  been  done  in  respect  of  the  prisoners,  so  that  what- 
ever orders  Congress  shall  think  proper  to  make,  the  sanction 
of  the  executive  power  of  this  State,  I  presume,  will  be  ready 
to  receive  them  here. 

"  I  am,  Sir, 

"  Your  most  obedient  servant, 
"  John  Smith, 
"  Lieutenant  of  Frederick  County. 

"  In  justice  to  the  prisoners  I  can  but  inform  you  that  their 
behaviour,  since  they  have  been  at  this  place,  has  truly  been 
inoffensive,  and  such  as  could  give  umbrage  to  no  person 
whatever. 

"  To  the  Honourable  John  Hancock,  Esquire." 

In  the  afternoon  the  committee  reported  an  essay  of  a  remon- 


164 


\ 

EXILES  FROM  PENNSYLVANIA. 


strance  to  Congress,  which  was  corrected  and  to  be  ready 
to  accompany  John  Smith's  letter  ;  it  being  as  follows  : 

"  Winchester,  1st  day  of  10th  month,  1777. 
"  TO  THE  CONGRESS. 

"  The  remonstrance  of  the  subscribers,  citizens  of  Philadel- 
phia, now  confined  under  strict  guard  in  the  town  of  Win- 
chester, sheweth : 

"  That  in  pursuance  of  your  recommendation,  we  have  been 
taken  up  on  suspicion  of  being  dangerous  men,  inimical  to  our 
country,  and  holding  correspondence  with  the  British  army. 
The  truth  of  which  we  have  heretofore,  and  yet  do  utterly 
deny. 

"  That  the  President  and  Council  of  Pennsylvania,  upon 
your  information,  and  as  we  have  cause  to  believe,  with  your 
concurrence,  have  banished  us  to  a  part  of  this  Continent  of 
which  we  have  heard  very  disagreeable  accounts,  but  which, 
from  our  short  experience,  far  exceeds  the  description. 

"  The  lieutenant  of  this  county  has  informed  us  that  the 
orders  he  has  received  respecting  us  are  not  such  as  required 
his  taking  charge  of  or  providing  a  support  for  us,  but  that, 
from  the  disposition  of  the  people  towards  us,  he  has,  out  of 
regard  for  our  personal  safety,  undertaken  to  protect  us,  until 
further  instructions  from  you,  confirmed  by  the  executive 
power  from  whom  he  derives  his  authority,  be  obtained. 

"  In  this  difficult  situation  we  now  find  ourselves  among 
strangers,  whose  passions  and  prejudices  have  been  excited 
against  us  ;  w  ho,  from  the  manner  of  our  being  sent  here,  are 
impressed  with  a  notion  that  we  have  been  convicted  of  some 
heinous  offences,  and  cannot  be  persuaded  that  any  public 
body  in  America,  would  so  severely  punish  men  on  bare  sus- 
picion, and  who  disclaim  the  right  of  the  Council  of  Pennsyl- 
vania to  send  persons  so  circumstanced  out  of  their  own 
government. 

"  And  we  here  think  proper  to  mention  a  fact  that  has  come 


RESIDENCE  AT  WINCHESTER. 


165 


to  our  knowledge,  which  of  itself  shows  the  rancour  we  have 
been  persecuted  with,  and  our  safety  endangered.  A  packet, 
directed  to  the  lieutenant  of  one  of  the  counties,  wlio  was  to 
have  the  charge  of  us,  sent  forward  by  our  escort,  and  endorsed, 
'  War  Office,  on  public  service,'  was  opened  in  our  presence, 
and  was  found  to  contain  nothing  but  a  newspaper  fraught  with 
anonymous  falsehoods  and  forgeries,  tending  to  render  us  odious 
in  the  eyes  of  the  people. 

"  Had  the  President  and  Council  nneant  only  to  secure  our 
persons,  and  prevented  our  correspondence,  as  they  pretended  to 
fear,  we  should  have  thought  places  might  have  been  found  for 
that  purpose  without  endangering  our  lives. 

"If  you  or  the  Council  were  ignorant  of  the  state  of  this 
country,  it  might  be  some  apology  for  sending  us  here ;  and 
your  withdrawing  us  from  it  upon  hearing  our  danger,  will 
show  the  sincerity  of  those  declarations  you  have  made  in 
favour  of  us,  with  respect  to  the  treatment  you  wished  us  to 
receive. 

"  At  the  time  we  were  forced  from  our  families  we  were 
preparing  a  remonstrance  to  you;  from  a  calm  consideration 
whereof  we  expected  a  just  and  honourable  result.  We  had 
therein  stated,  and  we  now  repeat  it,  that  having  the  authority 
of  your  recommendation  to  the  Council  to  give  us  a  hearing, 
we  expected  an  opportunity  of  defending  ourselves  against  the 
general  charge  you  were  pleased  to  exhibit  against  us  of 
*  having  by  our  general  conduct  and  conversation  evidenced  a 
disposition  inimical  to  the  cause  of  America  ;'  we  have  no 
doubt  we  should  have  been  able  to  remove  '  every  suspicion 
entertained  against  us,'  had  the  right  of  citizens  been  allowed 
us ;  but  we  were  refused  a  hearing  without  any  other  reason 
than  a  re-assertion  of  their  unjust  suspicions  :  a  mode  of  pro- 
ceeding which  would  criminate  all  innocent  men  ! 

"It  will  be  needless  to  go  through  the  many  arguments  we 
have  already  used  to  the  Council  and  yourselves.  It  is  suffi- 
cient to  remind  you  that  we  are  reduced  to  our  present  dan- 
gerous situation  by  your  means  ;  and  as  the  Council  have  no 


166 


EXILES  FROM  PENNSYLVANIA. 


pretence  of  jurisdiction  in  this  place,  on  the  principles  of  jus- 
tice and  humanity,  you  ought  to  extricate  us  from  it. 

"  We  therefore,  in  the  name  of  our  fellow-citizens,  of  our 
families,  of  ourselves,  and  of  every  obligation  by  which  man- 
kind are  bound  to  each  other,  call  upon  you  to  remove  those 
difficulties  of  which  you  have  been  the  primary  cause,  to  re- 
instate us  in  that  situation  we  were  in  when  by  your  concur- 
rence, and  by  the  concurrence  of  your  Committee  for  War, 
we  were  removed  from  the  country  in  which  our  supposed 
offences,  if  any,  must  have  been  committed,  and  where  alone 
they  are  cognizable ;  and  to  do  us  that  justice  which  the  Presi- 
dent and  Council,  who  began  the  attack  upon  us,  could  not  be 
influenced  to  by  their  regard  to  the  rights  of  mankind,  or  your 
recommendation. 

"  If  you  entertain  those  opinions  in  reality  you  have  so 
often  uttered  in  your  publications  in  favour  of  liberty,  so 
far  from  being  offended  at  the  freedom  we  use  in  addressing 
you  in  its  favour,  our  cause  will  derive  credit  from  the  firm- 
ness with  which  we  have  thought  proper  to  assert  it.  On 
the  contrary,  if  you  are  determined  to  support  the  Council  in 
the  unjust  and  illegal  steps  they  have  taken  to  carry  your  first 
recommendation  into  execution,  by  continuing  us  in  a  country 
so  dangerous  to  our  personal  safety,  we  shall  commit  ourselves 
to  the  protection  of  an  all-wise  overruling  Power,  in  whose 
sight  we  trust  we  shall  stand  in  this  matter  acquitted,  and  who, 
if  any  of  us  should  lose  our  lives,  will  require  our  blood  at 
your  hands. 

Israel  Pembeiton,  Thomas  Gilpin, 

John  Pemberton,  Charles  Jervis, 

James  Pemberton,         Charles  Eddy, 

Samuel  Pleasants,  William  Drewet  Smith, 

Thomas  Pike,  John  Hunt, 

Owen  Jones,  Jr.,  Edward  Pennington, 

Thomas  Affleck,  Thomas  Wharton, 

Thomas  Fisher,  Henry  Drinker, 

Samuel  R.  Fisher,         Elijah  Brown, 

Miers  Fisher,  William  Smith,  (broker.)" 


RESIDENCE  AT  WINCHESTER. 


167 


2d  day  of  10th  month. — The  committee  reported  an  essay 
of  an  address  to  the  Governor  and  Council  of  Virginia,  which 
was  signed ;  and  a  letter  was  written,  signed  by  Thomas 
Wharton  and  Samuel  Pleasants,  to  introduce  the  address  to  the 
Governor,  ready  to  be  forwarded.    It  is  as  follows: 

"  TO  THE  GOVERNOR  AND  COUNCIL  OF  VIRGINIA. 

"  The  address  and  memorial  of  the  subscribers,  citizens  of 
Philadelphia,  in  Pennsylvania,  now  confined  at  Winchester,  iu 
Virginia,  respectfully  sheweth: 

"  That  we  were  taken  from  our  families  and  brought  to  this 
place,  by  order  of  the  President  and  Council  of  Pennsylvania, 
in  a  manner  not  heretofore  known  in  any  free  country,  without 
being  heard  in  our  defence  ! 

"  Upon  our  arrival  here,  Daniel  Levan,  who  commanded  the 
escort  conducting  us  from  Reading,  delivered  to  the  lieutenant 
of  this  county,  sundry  papers  from  the  President  and  Council 
of  Pennsylvania,  and  the  Continental  Board  of  War,  contain- 
ing directions  concerning  our  confinement ;  copies  of  the  most 
material  of  which  we  herewith  present  to  you. 

"  Before  our  departure  from  Philadelphia,  we  applied  to  the 
Council  among  other  things,  to  know  to  whose  custody  we 
were  to  be  committed  when  here,  and  what  directions  were  to 
be  given  concerning  us ;  and  were  informed  that  the  Governor 
of  Virginia  would  have  the  charge  of,  and  directions  con- 
cerning us. 

"  We  therefore  apprehended  it  to  be  our  duty  to  ourselves, 
and  to  the  country  in  which  we  are  appointed  to  reside,  to 
slate  to  you  the  situation  we  are  in,  and  to  claim  that  protec- 
tion which  the  rights  of  hospitality,  and  the  common  right  of 
mankind  entitle  us  to,  in  a  country  where  we  are  strangers. 

"  Our  case  is  briefly  this.  We  were  apprehended  by  virtue 
of  a  general  warrant,  signed  by  the  Vice-President  in  Council, 
and  confined  some  days.  Some  of  our  houses  were  entered  and 


168 


EXILES  FROM  PENNSYLVANIA. 


our  desks  and  other  repositories  broken,  and  our  papers  searched 
in  our  absence  to  furnish  evidence  against  us. 

"  We  a[)pHed  to  the  Council  by  remonstrance,  to  know  the 
charge  or  suspicions  against  us,  and  demanded  our  right  to  be 
heard ;  instead  of  granting  this,  they  ordered  us  to  be  sent  to 
Staunton,  in  Augusta  County,  Virginia,  unheard. 

"  We  applied  to  Congress,  (whom  they  said  had  recommended 
the  measures.)  for  their  interference  in  our  behalf.  They  re- 
commended to  Council  to  give  us  a  hearing. 

"  We  remonstrated  again  to  Council,  repealing  our  demand 
of  a  hearing,  before  we  should  be  condemned  to  banishment. 

"To  evade  this  demand,  they  tendered  us,  as  the  condition 
of  our  enlargement,  tests,  which  they  were  not  authorized  by 
the  laws  of  Pennsylvania  to  oifer  us ! 

"  We  again  remonstrated  to  them  and  insisted  on  our  right 
to  be  heard  ! 

"  Disregarding  our  demands  and  alike  unable  to  support  any 
accusation  against  us,  they  served  us  with  a  copy  of  a  peremp- 
tory resolve  to  send  us  to  Virginia ! 

"  Against  this  extraordinary  pi'oceeding  we  made  a  solemn 
protest,  which  was  presented  to  them. 

"  We  sent  to  the  Chief  Justice  of  Pennsylvania,  who  resides 
at  a  considerable  distance  from  Philadelphia,  for  writs  of  habeas 
corpus  ad  subjiciendum,  which  being  our  indisputable  right,  he 
readily  allowed;  but  before  they  could  be  served  we  were 
hurried  from  our  families,  at  a  critical  time  of  danger,  and 
carried  to  Reading,  in  the  County  of  Berks,  in  Pennsylvania. 
At  that  place  the  writs  of  habeas  corpus  were  served  on  our 
keepers,  who  absolutely  refused  to  obey  them,  and  sent  us  fronn 
stage  to  stage,  to  this  place  ! 

"  After  we  had  left  Philadelphia,  application  was  made, 
without  our  knowledge,  to  change  the  place  of  our  destination 
from  Staunton,  Virginia  ;  which,  from  the  warrant  for  removal, 
dated  16th  day  of  last  month,  we  find  was  accordingly  directed. 

"  Notwithstanding  the  many  expressions  contained  in  the 
several  papers  sent  with  us,  requiring  attention  to  be  paid  to 


RESIDENCE  AT  WINCHESTER. 


1G9 


our  comfortable  accommodalions  and  humane  treatment,  we 
have  abundant  reason  to  believe  that  endeavours  have  been  used 
to  excite  prejudices  against  us  in  the  minds  of  the  people,  as 
well  in  the  counties  through  which  we  were  to  pass,  as  in  those 
fixed  on  for  our  residence,  not  only  by  sending  forward  publica- 
tions in  handbills  and  newspapers,  containing  malicious  forgeries 
and  falsehoods,  but  by  the  verbal  misrepresentations  of  some  of 
our  conductors,  while  the  papers  published  in  vindication  of 
our  characters,  with  printers'  names  to  the  title  and  our  own 
subscribed,  have  been  attempted  to  be  suppressed,  under  colour 
of  preventing  us  from  disseminating  'sedition  and  discord.' 

"  It  is  not  to  be  wondered  at  that  such  means  should  produce 
the  effects  we  have  experienced  since  our  arrival  here,  for 
although  the  Lieutenant  of  this  county  has  behaved  to  us  with 
humanity  and  politeness,  yet  such  have  been  the  prejudices  and 
jealousies  entertained  of  us  by  the  people,  that  it  has  scarcely 
been  in  his  power  to  restrain  them  from  removing  us  forcibly 
out  of  the  country.  By  his  address  and  good  management,  how- 
ever, the  minds  of  the  people  have  been  in  some  degree  pacified, 
and  we  understand  it  is  now  concluded  we  shall  remain  here, 
in  close  confinement,  in  a  private  house,  with  guards  at  the 
doors,  until  further  orders  can  be  obtained  respecting  us  from 
Congress  and  the  executive  power  of  Virginia. 

"  We  apprehend  that  common  justice  requires  that  every 
man  who  is  accused  should  be  heard,  and,  although  confine- 
ment is  in  some  cases  necessary  for  a  time,  until  such  hearing 
can  be  had,  yet  we  know  not  of  any  instance,  in  the  history  of 
our  own  or  any  free  country,  of  even  the  most  atrocious 
offenders  being  sent  into  banishment  before  conviction,  or  of 
being  otherwise  confined  by  them,  but  merely  to  secure  their 
appearance.  With  what  propriety  the  President  and  Council 
have  acted  in  thus  punishing  us,  by  separating  us  from  our 
tenderest  connexions,  in  this  time  of  increasing  distress  and 
calamity,  when  our  presence  and  assistance  were  essentially 
necessary,  we  leave  to  their  own  consciences  in  the  cool  hour 


170 


EXILES  FROM  PENNSYLVANIA. 


of  reflection,  to  inform  them.  From  you,  though  for  the  most 
part  strangers,  we  look  for  more  justice  and  humanity. 

"  We  therefore  earnestly  request  you  will  take  our  sufTering 
case  into  your  consideration,  and  as  we  are  brought  here  against 
our  will,  without  the  authority  of  any  public  body,  or  persons 
having  a  right  to  interfere  in  the  internal  police  of  this  govern- 
ment, that  you  will  not  add  to  our  oppressions  by  permitting 
us  to  be  removed  to  any  place  more  distant  from  our  distressed 
families ;  that  you  will  use  such  measures  as  you  shall  think 
most  proper  to  secure  us  a  hearing  before  some  tribunal  which 
has  the  power  to  discharge  us,  if  no  cause  of  confinement 
should  appear  against  us ;  that  in  the  mean  time  you  would 
direct  our  imprisonment  to  be  made  more  easy  than  the  limits 
of  a  house:  our  well-known  principles  and  conduct  heretofore, 
as  well  as  during  our  present  sufferings,  have  evidently  shown 
this  to  be  an  unnecessary  restraint;  that  you  would  give  direc- 
tions for  our  protection  from  the  misguided  zeal  of  those  whose 
passions  have  been  raised  by  insinuations  unjust  in  themselves, 
and  uncredited  by  the  authors  of  them  ;  and  that  you  will  pro- 
vide for  our  comfortable  subsistence  during  our  residence  here, 
according  to  the  assurances  we  received  in  Philadelphia,  and 
the  tenor  of  the  papers  accompanying  us.  Upon  the  whole, 
we  do  solemnly  declare  that  we  are  altogether  innocent  of 
giving  any  occasion  for  those  malicious  insinuations  which 
have  been  propagated  against  us,  and  held  out  as  the  cause  of 
our  persecution.  And  in  order  that  you  may  be  better  able  to 
judge  concerning  us,  we  beg  your  serious  perusal  of  a  narrative 
of  our  case  herewith  sent,  which  contains  the  substance  of  what 
passed  during  our  confinement  in  Philadelphia,  between  the 
Congress,  the  Council,  and  ourselves. 

"  We  had  prepared  another  paper  in  vindication  of  our  cha- 
racters, and  to  manifest  the  falsehood  of  divers  publications 
against  us,  but  had  not  time  to  complete  it  before  our  removal. 

"  The  firm  manner  in  which  we  have  demanded  our  rights, 
and  the  reluctance  we  have  shown  in  parting  with  our  liberty, 
will,  wcjhope,  be  forcible  evidence  in  our  favour,  and  suspend 


RESIDENCE  AT  WINCHESTER. 


171 


the  opinions  of  all  candid  persons  until  the  charge  founded  on 
our  '  general  conduct  and  conversation'  is  properly  inquired 
into. 

"  May  true  wisdom  guide  you  in  your  deliberations  in  this 
and  on  every  other  occasion. 

"  We  are  your  real  friends, 


Elijah  Brown, 
Owen  Jones,  jun., 
William  Smith,  (broker,) 
Samuel  R.  Fisher, 
Miers  Fisher, 
Charles  Eddy. 
Thomas  Fisher, 
Thomas  Gilpin, 
Charles  Jervis, 
Samuel  Pleasants, 

"  Winchester,  1st  day  of  10th  month, 


Thomas  Pike, 
Thomas  Affleck, 
William  Drewet  Smith, 
Thomas  Wharton, 
Edward  Pennington, 
Israel  Pemberton, 
John  Hunt, 
James  Pemberton, 
John  Pemberton, 
Henry  Drinker." 

1777." 


The  foregoing  address  was  read  to  John  Smith,  who  said  he 
had  no  objection  to  it,  and  would  forward  it  with  his  letter, 
which  he  promised  to  show  us  before  it  was  sent. 

3d  day  of  10th  month. — The  light  wagons  have  been  dis- 
charged by  Samuel  Levan,  without  being  paid  or  leaving  any 
money  with  them  to  defray  their  expenses  going  home.  He 
has  gone  away  with  his  guard. 

A  letter  was  written  by  Israel  Pemberton  and  others  to  our 
friends  Robert  Pleasants  and  Edward  Stabler,  to  enclose  a  copy 
of  our  address  to  John  Smith  ;  and  he  gave  us  permission  to  read 
his  letter  respecting  us,  to  the  Governor  of  Virginia,  which 
was  very  suitably  expressed  in  regard  to  us,  and  our  perilous 
situation,  and  the  danger  we  are  and  may  be  in. 

Thomas  Gilpin  wrote  to  his  brother  George  Gilpin,  Colonel 
of  the  Fairfax  militia,  now  near  Philadelphia,  and  delivered  the 
letter  to  Isaac  Zane. 


172 


EXILES  FROM  PENNSYLVANIA. 


The  Rev.  John  Hogg,  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  came  to 
our  house,  but  did  not  come  in :  he  has  great  influence  with 
the  people,  and  they  treat  him  with  great  respect.  Joseph 
Keith,  Clerk  of  the  County,  came  to  see  us :  he  is  an  afiable, 
pleasant  man. 

Since  our  confinement,  our  guards  state  they  are  dissatisfied 
with  their  employment  and  our  situation,  most  of  them  being 
pressed  into  this  service  out  of  the  country,  for  various  dis- 
tances of  twenty  miles  around,  and  have  been  taken  from  their 
families  when  their  labour  was  essentially  necessary  to  their 
farms  and  seeding.  This  day,  Isaac  England,  son  of  Samuel 
England,  of  Nottingham,  a  member  of  our  Society,  was  com- 
pelled to  leave  his  employment,  about  five  miles  ofl',  and  placed 
as  a  guard  over  us,  at  one  of  the  doors,  though  he  steadily  re- 
fused to  touch  the  musket,  and  said,  in  the  hearing  of  the  other 
guards,  we  might  go  where  we  would,  he  would  not  detain  us. 
Yet  they  made  him  lake  his  turn  as  a  guard  to  us  yesterday 
and  to-day. 

Esquire  Rutherford  came  to  see  us.  He  is  one  of  the  Assem- 
bly of  Virginia.  He  lives  about  twenty  miles  from  here,  and 
also  Alexander  White,  a  lawyer.  We  had  some  conversation 
with  them,  and  they  seem  very  kindly  disposed  to  us.  Many 
prisoners,  chained  two  together,  are  brought  from  Pittsburg. 

5th  day  of  10th  month,  1777. — The  first  day  of  the  week. 
At  10  o'clock,  we  had  a  very  solid  meeting  for  religious  wor- 
ship in  the  morning.  John  Hunt  preached  largely  and  John 
Pemberton  appeared  in  prayer.  Philip  Bush,  his  wife,  and 
several  of  our  guards  attended. 

We  had  another  meeting  at  4  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  when 
Lieutenant  John  Smith  sat  with  us  also ;  the  Widow  Jollop's 
son,  the  Widow  Hollingsworth's  son  and  daughter,  and  four  or 
five  other  Friends  were  permitted  to  sit  with  us;  our  landlord 
and  his  wife,  and  many  of  the  guards  came  to  the  window. 

This  evening,  a  Baltimore  paper  was  brought  us,  giving  an 
account  of  a  great  advantage  the  Americans  have  gained  over 
General  Burgoyne, 


RESIDENCE  AT  WINCHESTER. 


173 


6th  day  of  lOlh  month. — Several  of  us  walked  out,  liberty 
being  given,  but  to  be  attended  by  a  guard,  the  captain  of  which, 
John  Wolfe,  communicated  to  us  written  orders  for  his  govern- 
ment, of  which  he  gave  us  liberty  to  take  a  copy,  as  follows : 

"  The  commanding  officer  of  the  guard  will  please  to  observe 
that  no  person  be  allowed  to  converse  with  the  prisoners  at  Mr. 
Bush's,  without  Mr.  Bush's  approbation.  Should  the  prisoners 
be  inclined  to  walk,  one  sentinel  may  attend  them  as  far  as  the 
spring,  observing  the  above  directions,  that  they  do  not  con- 
verse with  any  others  than  themselves. 

"  John  Smith." 

From  the  time  of  our  first  coming  till  now,  we  have  only 
been  allowed  to  walk  in  Philip  Bush's  garden.  This  evening, 
Thomas  Wharton,  Thomas  Gilpin,  and  five  others,  took  a  walk 
around  of  about  two  miles  with  a  guard. 

lOlh. — Several  of  our  company  walked  out  to-day  with  some 
of  our  guards  unarmed.  Samuel  Pleasants  called  on  John 
Harvie,  Esq.,  whom  they  saw  yesterday. 

In  the  course  of  conversation,  John  Harvie  said  that  John 
Smith  told  him  that  the  riot  which  took  place  the  evening  of 
our  coming  here  was  fomented  with  a  design  to  prevent  us 
from  going  out  to  have  any  communication  with  our  friends, 
because  we  were  persons  of  so  much  influence  at  home,  in  our 
own  Society,  that  being  separated  at  Winchester  from  the 
young  men,  they  would  be  more  likely  to  unite  in  their  measures 
and  join  the  army. 

11  ih  day  of  10th  month. — This  morning,  Edward  Pennington 
and  Henry  Drinker,  who  had  been  appointed,  waited  on  John 
Harvie,  Esq.,  by  whom  they  were  received  with  much  openness 
and  friendly  attention. 

Upon  the  whole  he  assured  us  of  his  good  opinion  of  our 
Society,  as  far  as  his  knowledge  of  it  extended,  and  that  he  was 
convinced  of  the  injustice  of  denying  us  a  hearing. 

Our  old  guards  went  away,  and  took  leave  of  us  in  a  very 


174 


EXILES  FROM  PENNSYLVANIA. 


kind  feeling  and  disposition.  One  said  he  would  not  begrudge 
ten  pounds  out  of  his  own  pocket  to  have  us  set  at  liberty. 
They  all  agreed  there  was  no  occasion  for  guarding  us;  that 
they  believed  we  had  been  wronged. 

12th  day  of  10th  month,  first  day  of  the  week. — We  have 
had  no  guard  since  yesterday.  This  being  the  first  day  of  the 
week,  a  meeting  was  held  this  morning  at  10  o'clock.  It  was 
attended,  in  addition  to  our  own  company,  by  most  of  the 
family  of  our  landlord,  eight  who  were  appointed  as  our  new 
guard,  and  several  strangers.  They  sal  most  part  of  the  meet- 
ing, four  of  them  all  the  time.  It  was  stated  that  worship  was 
frequently  performed  in  awful  silence.  They  seemed  to  behave 
with  great  quietude  and  consideration.  After  the  meeting  was 
over,  some  of  them  informed  Colonel  Kennedy  they  would  go 
home ;  he  told  them  they  would  be  fined.  One  said  he  was 
able  to  pay  it,  and  went  away. 

In  the  afternoon  our  meeting  was  attended  at  4  o'clock.  A 
number  of  Friends  of  the  neighbourhood,  and  some  persons 
not  members  of  our  Society,  sat  with  us  ;  and  the  everlasting 
Gospel  was  preached  to  them. 

13th. — No  guards  over  us  to-day.  As  Lieutenant  John 
Smith  has  left  this  place,  and  the  charge  of  us  devolves  on 
David  Kennedy,  with  whom  we  are  but  little  acquainted,  we 
thought  it  prudent  to  remain  quietly  together  at  our  lodgings. 

About  three  hundred  more  prisoners  were  brought  here  under 
guard  of  70  or  80  soldiers.  They  are  all  foreigners,  English 
and  Scotch.  Peter  Bush  is  allowed  l'2d.  per  day,  for  boarding 
them. 

Doctor  William  Drewet  Smith,  got  permission  from  Colonel 
David  Kennedy  to  go  any  where  in  the  town  or  country  to  see 
patients,  and  to  take  an  assistant  with  him  ;  his  permission  was 
given  in  writing,  and  being  called  upon,  he  was  usually  engaged 
from  time  to  time  in  professional  service. 

15th  day  of  10th  month,  4th  day  of  the  week. — At  our 
morning  meeting,  the  excellency  of  true  fellowship,  and  living 
under  the  banner  of  love,  which  would  preserve  us  in  near 
union  and  Christian  fellowship,  was  seasonably  and  feelingly 


RESIDENCE  AT  WINCHESTER. 


175 


spoken  to ;  and  as  some  of  our  friends  had  been  preserved 
through  the  perils  of  a  long  journey,  to  return  in  peace  and 
safety  to  their  families,  it  was  adverted  to  as  worthy  all  our 
grateful  acknowledgments  to  the  Father  of  Mercies. 

An  application  was  made  by  one  of  our  company  to  Colonel 
David  Kennedy,  for  the  privilege  of  walking  a  few  miles 
round  the  town,  and  we  had  it  principally  in  view  to  find 
suitable  places  to  keep  our  horses,  as  it  would  be  more  expen- 
sive and  not  so  well  to  keep  them  in  town  the  remainder  of 
the  season ;  when  it  appeared  a  considerable  change  had  taken 
place  with  him  in  our  favour,  without  our  being  able  to  dis- 
cover the  cause.  He,  without  hesitation,  not  only  gave  the 
leave,  but  after  observing  we  were  a  people  who  would  make 
no  promises,  and  that  he  had  no  power  to  regulate  us,  desired 
us  to  regulate  ourselves,  and  informed  us  that  we  might  ride 
any  where  within  six  miles  of  Winchester,  and  as  he  did  not 
expect  we  would  enter  into  any  engagements,  he  informed  us 
that  we  must  take  the  consequences  if  we  exceeded  that 
distance. 

Great  part  of  our  journal  was  read  over  yesterday  evening 
and  this  evening.  Some  remarks  being  made  upon  it,  Henry 
Drinker,  Thomas  Fisher,  Edward  Pennington,  James  Pember- 
ton,  Thomas  Wharton,  and  Miers  Fisher,  are  desired  to  revise 
and  transcribe  it,  and  to  make  such  alterations  and  additions 
thereto  as  they  shall  think  necessary. 

I7th. — Colonel  Francis  Peyton,  of  Loudon,  who  had  called 
to  see  us  at  Reading,  came  here  on  a  visit  to  us,  accompanied 
by  our  friend  John  Hough.  They  dined  and  spent  most  of 
the  afternoon  and  evening  with  us,  having  come  many  miles 
out  of  the  way,  which  we  take  as  a  mark  of  their  regard  and 
friendly  disposition  towards  us. 

18th. — Andrew  M'Coy,  from  Crooked  Run,  paid  us  a  visit 
yesterday,  and  Mahlon  Janney  and  his  wife,  with  Joseph 
Janney  and  his  sister,  (the  wife  of  William  Baker,)  came  over 
the  mountain,  about  forty  miles,  from  Loudon  County,  on  a 
visit  to  us,  and  stayed  most  part  of  the  day. 

Colonel  Francis  Peyton  and  John  Hough  took  leave  of  us 


176 


EXILES  FROM  PENNSYLVANIA. 


about  eleven  o'clock :  the  former  going  to  Lancaster,  we  wrote 
letters  to  our  families. 

19lh  day  of  10th  month,  1777. — Being  the  first  day  of  the 
week,  our  meeting  for  worship  was  held  at  Philip  Bush's,  and 
was  attended  also  by  our  landlord,  his  wife,  and  most  of  the 
children,  and  some  few  of  our  neighbouring  Friends,  Mahlon 
Janney  and  those  who  visited  us  yestei'day,  and  several  not  of 
our  religious  Society,  making  up  seventy  or  eighty  persons,  who 
attended  both  morning  and  afternoon. 

This  morning.  Colonel  John  Augustus  Washington,  brother 
of  General  Washington,  came  to  our  lodgings,  and  we  had 
some  friendly  conversation  with  him.  He  read  us  a  letter  from 
Lieutenant  Richard  Henry  Lee  to  him,  giving  an  account  of 
the  various  successes  of  the  American  army,  the  capture  of 
General  Burgoyne,  and  that  General  Howe  was  hemmed  in, 
and  would  have  to  evacuate  Philadelphia;  that  he  is  invested 
there  all  around. 

This  day  Colonel  David  Kennedy  produced  us  a  letter,  of 
which  he  gave  us  liberty  to  take  a  copy,  as  follows : 

War  Office,  October  16th,  1777. 

"  Sir, 

"  The  Board  being  much  engaged  have  not  leisure  to  take 
into  consideration  the  whole  of  your  letter  on  the  subject  of 
the  Philadelphia  prisoners.  I  am,  however,  directed  to  inform 
you  that  the  Board  are  thankful  for  the  attention  you  have 
heretofore  paid  to  the  business,  and  have  appointed  Joseph 
Holmes,  Esq.,  Deputy  Commissary  General  of  Prisoners,  in 
the  Western  District  of  Virginia,  to  whom  you  will  please 
deliver  over  the  prisoners  you  have  in  charge,  as  he  has  re- 
ceived instructions  concerning  them,  and  no  doubt  will  dispose 
of  them  in  such  a  manner  as  will  be  proper  with  regard  to 
them,  and  conducive  to  the  satisfaction  of  the  people  of  the 
country.  "  I  have  the  honour  to  be, 

"  Your  very  obedient  servant, 

"  Richard  Peters, 

"  Secretary." 


RESIDENCE  AT  WINCHESTER. 


177 


20th  of  10th  month. — Joseph  Holmes  and  Isaac  Zane,  Jr., 
who  had  lately  returned  from  Yorktown  (the  present  location 
of  Congress),  came  to  see  us ;  the  former  produced  the  instruc- 
tions he  had  received  there  concerning  us,  which  appears  to  be 
all  the  notice  Congress  mean  to  take  of  our  last  remonstrance. 

"  War  Office,  October  16th,  1777. 

"  Sir, 

"  As  you  have  requested  from  the  Board  of  War  some 
directions  relative  to  the  prisoners  sent  froni  Pennsylvania,  as 
persons  disaffected  to  the  American  cause,  I  am  directed  to  in- 
form you  that  the  mode  of  treatment  of  them  is  to  be  regulated 
by  their  behaviour  respectively. 

"  They  are  to  be  treated  with  every  indulgence  consistent 
with  the  safety  of  their  persons  and  the  good  of  our  cause,  so 
as  lo  avoid  on  the  one  hand  unnecessary  rigour,  and  on  the 
other  to  prevent  them  from  spreading  disaffection,  and  injuring 
the  interests  of  our  country.  You  will  dispose  of  them  in  a 
manner  suitable  to  their  respective  characters  and  stations,  and 
to  suffer  them  to  be  supplied  with  every  necessary  they  may 
u-ant,  at  their  own  expense. 

"  I  am  your  very  obedient  servant, 

"  Richard  Peters, 

*'  Secretary." 

"  To 

Joseph  Holmes,  Esq.,  Deputy  Commissary  General  of  Pri- 
soners in  the  Western  District  of  Virginia." 

21st  of  10th  month. — The  messenger  who  went  to  WiUiams- 
burg  with  our  address  lo  the  Governor  and  Council  of  Vir- 
ginia, returned  this  day  and  delivered  us  a  letter  from  Robert 
Pleasants  and  Edward  Stabler,  informing  us  they  had  presented 
it,  and  enclosing  a  copy  of  the  minutes  of  Council  thereupon, 
which  is  as  follows,  viz. : 

12 


178 


EXILES  FROM  PENNSYLVANIA. 


"IN  COUNCIL. 

"October  15th,  1777. 

"  Virginia,  [l.  s.] 

"  His  Excellency  having  comnfiunicated  to  the  Board  sundry 
letters  and  other  papers,  relative  to  the  Quakers  and  others 
who  have  been  apprehended  in  Pennsylvania,  by  order  of  the 
Executive  Council  of  that  State,  as  enemies  of  the  independence 
of  America,  as  it  had  appeared  therefrom  that  in  the  present 
time  of  danger  more  immediately  threatening  that  State, 
it  was  judged  necessary  to  send  them  to  the  town  of  Win- 
chester, in  the  county  of  Frederick,  in  Virginia,  and  the 
{lieutenant  of  that  county  informing  the  Governor  that  he  w^anted 
'Ws  Excellency's  sanction  for  confining  them  as  prisoners  of 
•war,  and  also  that  the  people  of  that  place  were  greatly  in- 
'Censed  against  the  said  prisoners,  and  had  demanded  their  re- 
moval, and  that  it  was  with  difficulty  he  had  restrained  them 
■from  doing  violence  to  their  persons:  the  Board  advised  his 
Excellency  to  write  to  said  county  lieutenant,  commending  his 
past  conduct,  and  directing  him  to  continue  protection,  and  to 
:  exert  himself  to  afford  humane  treatment  to  the  said  prisoners, 
•whom  he  is  to  consider  as  under  his  care  until  orders  may  be 
given  hereafter  for  their  removal;  until  which  time  he  is  to 
permit  them  to  walk  in  the  daytime,  in  any  part  of  the  town, 
i  for  the  benefit  of  their  health. 

"  The  Board  further  advised  the  county  lieutenant  to  let  the 
'  people  of  the  country  know,  that  any  violence  which  may  be 
offered  the  prisoners,  will  be  considered  highly  derogatory  and 
dishonourable  to  the  government.  And  in  the  mean  time  they 
recommend  to  his  Excellency  to  write  to  the  Executive  Council 
of  Pennsylvania,  informing  them  of  the  situation  of  their 
prisoners  at  Winchester,  and  that  his  Excellency  would  give 
directions  for  the  removal  of  them  to  such  other  place  within 


RESIDENCE  AT  WINCHESTER. 


179 


this  State,  as  they  would  signify  to  him  to  have  their  appro- 
bation. 

"  Archibald  Blair, 

"  Clerk." 

"  Williamsburg,  October  15th,  1777. 

"  Sir, 

"  The  foregoing  advice  of  the  Council  I  accept,  and  have  to 
desire  you  that  you  will  govern  yourself  according  to  the  tenor 
of  it,  and  consider  it  containing  my  orders. 

"  I  am,  sir,  your  humble  servant, 

"  P.  Henry." 

«  To  the 

County  lieutenant  of  the  county  in  which  Winchester  is 
situate." 

Which  being  taken  into  consideration,  Israel  Pemberton  and 
Miers  Fisher  desired  to  confer  with  David  Kennedy  upon  the 
subject,  who  reported  that  he  seemed  very 'willing  to  continue 
to  us  a  circuit  of  six  miles  round  the  town,  although  he  thought 
the  minutes  of  Council  would  scarcely  warrant  him  in  so 
doing. 

We  have  found  that  most  of  the  prejudices  excited  in  these 
parts  against  our  Society,  have  arisen  from  publications  made 
at  Philadelphia,  and  circulated  here,  containing  falsehoods, 
forgeries,  and  misrepresentations,  and  as  the  essay  prepared  at 
Philadelphia,  before  we  left  there,  in  answer  to  them,  was  not 
published,  it  was  thought  necessary  to  prepare  another,  and 
Israel  Pemberton,  Edward  Pennington,  Thomas  Wharton, 
James  Pemberton,  Henry  Drinker,  and  Miers  Fisher,  were 
appointed  a  committee  for  the  purpose. 

23d  day. — Our  friend  John  Hunt  went  with  Samuel  R. 
Fisher,  to  the  week-day  meeting  at  Hopewell,  and  returned  in 
the  afternoon. 

About  seven  o'clock  this  evening,  our  friend  John  Hunt  ex- 
pressed a  desire  that  we  might  be  collected  to  sit  together, 


180 


EXILES  FROM  PENNSYLVANIA. 


which  being  complied  with,  after  a  short  pause  he  began  to 
speak.  He  mentioned  a  close  exercise  which  had  attended  his 
mind  for  some  hours,  which  gratitude  to  Heaven  and  a  duty  to 
ourselves  would  not  permit  him  to  conceal. 

He  reminded  us  of  the  many  interpositions  of  Divine  Pro- 
vidence for  our  preservation  and  comfort  since  our  separation 
from  our  own  dear  connexions.  He  then  recommended  us  to 
continue  watchful,  that  we  might  be  strengthened  to  undergo 
whatever  sufferings  might  be  permitted  to  come  upon  us  ;  and 
to  keep  as  much  as  possible  from  repeating,  or  even  hearing 
rumours,  which  would  be  frequent,  and  tend  only  to  weaken  us. 

24th  of  10th  month. — This  morning  a  report  prevailed  that 
General  Burgoyne  and  all  his  army  were  taken,  and  that  5850 
men,  prisoners,  were  sent  into  Connecticut  —  that  General 
Howe  was  about  to  evacuate  Philadelphia.  These  accounts, 
we  were  told,  came  by  express  last  night.  John  Magill,  Esq., 
had  a  letter  from  Philadelphia,  containing  the  detail,  which  he 
read  to  Miers  Fisher,  stating  also  that  General  Howe's  letter  to 
Lord  Howe,  stating  his  situation  to  be  very  critical,  had  been 
intercepted.  The  intelligence  made  a  great  stir  in  the  town. 
A  company  of  the  inhabitants  paraded  the  streets  with  drum 
and  fife,  and  fired  a  feu-de-joie.  A  bonfire  of  many  cords  of 
wood  was  made,  and  in  the  evening  the  houses  were  mostly 
illuminated.  Our  friend,  Meschach  Sexton,  who  declined,  had 
some  small  damage  done  to  his  house,  by  way  of  insult;  but 
there  was  not  much  damage  done  to  the  town. 

25th. — Some  of  our  company  discovered  in  a  conversation 
with  our  landlord,  Philip  Bush,  that  he  means  to  charge  each 
of  us  ten  shillings  a  day,  silver  money,  for  our  board,  which  is 
twelve  shillings  and  sixpence  a  day,  Pennsylvania  currency  ; 
and  we  find  our  own  beds,  drink,  and  washing.  A  committee 
was  appointed  to  confer  with  him  thereon,  and  also  to  ask 
David  Kennedy  to  give  us  permission  to  board  among  our 
friends  around  the  town.  Philip  Bush  said  he  would  agree  to 
make  a  more  exact  calculation,  and  see  us  again  the  ensuing 
week. 


RESIDENCE  AT  WINCHESTER. 


181 


26th. — Being  the  first  day  of  the  week ;  our  meeting  was 
attended,  morning  and  afternoon,  by  PhiHp  Bnsh  and  his  family, 
and  several  Friends  from  the  country.  John  Pemberton  and 
John  Hunt  were  largely  engaged  in  exhortation  and  prayer. 

Among  the  Friends  that  were  collected  with  us  this  after- 
noon,  was  Thomas  M'Clunn,  who  left  General  Washington's 
camp,  about  20  miles  from  Philadelphia,  on  the  18th  inst.,  on 
or  near  the  Skippack  Road. 

This  Friend,  with  thirteen  others,  members  of  our  Society, 
residing  in  this  county,  had  been  drafted  under  the  militia  law 
of  the  present  government,  and  taken  forcibly  from  their  friends 
and  families;  and  though  they  bore  a  steady  testimony  against 
all  warlike  measures,  and  refused  to  partake  of  the  provision 
allotted  to  themselves  and  others,  and  to  handle  any  of  the 
muskets,  to  which  they  were  urged,  yet  they  were  forced  to 
move  on  in  military  order,  from  place  to  place,  for  some  dis- 
tance, when  about  half  their  number,  from  indisposition  of 
body,  were  allowed  to  return  home,  though  others  were  com- 
pelled to  march  in  company  with  the  militia  to  the  camp, 
during  which  time  several  of  them  had  muskets  tied  to  their 
bodies,  and  were  forced  to  stand  at  certain  places  for  many 
hours  together. 

At  the  camp  a  discharge  was  obtained  for  them,  by  order  of 
General  Washington,  soon  after  they  reached  it,  with  liberty 
to  return  home,  in  which  he  thinks  Clement  Biddle  was 
assisting. 

Winchester,  2d  day  of  11th  month. — Fii-st  day  of  the  week. 
Our  religious  meetings  began  at  10  o'clock  in  the  morning,  and 
at  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  and  were  very  satisfactory. 
Several  exhortations  were  delivered  ;  in  the  forenoon  by  John 
Pemberton,  and  in  the  afternoon  by  Daniel  Brown  and  John 
Hunt.  Those  were  the  largest  meetings  we  have  had,  being 
attended  by  sixty  or  seventy  persons,  mostly  members  of  our 
Society.  Friends  were  enabled  to  preach  the  doctrine  of  sal- 
vation with  feeling  energy. 

About  the  close  of  the  meeting,  Samuel  England,  from  Not- 


182 


EXILES  FROM  PENNSYLVANIA. 


tingham,  arrived.  He  brought  us  letters  from  our  friends 
George  Churchman  and  T.  Lancaster,  informing  us  of  the 
sympathy  of  our  friends,  and  of  our  families  being  well,  on  the 
16th  ultimo.  He  showed  us  a  letter  from  George  Churchman, 
giving  an  account  of  a  visit  paid  General  Howe,  and  also  to 
General  Washington,  by  some  Friends,  in  order  to  remove 
prejudices  against  our  Society,  which  it  is  hoped  had  some 
good  effect. 

We  have  experienced  great  inconvenience  at  being  very 
much  crowded  at  our  landlord's,  as  well  as  also  incommoding 
his  family.  This,  and  the  heavy  charge  of  board,  have  induced 
several  of  us  to  seek  for  board  at  our  friends'  families  in  the 
country  round.  The  subject  came  to  be  considered  this  even- 
ing, and  the  inconvenience  to  arise  from  our  separation.  It 
was  concluded  to  keep  up  our  meetings  on  first  and  fourth 
days,  as  usual ;  to  meet  as  occasion  otherwise  required,  and  to 
leave  those  at  liberty  to  remove  to  other  lodgings.  Our  situa- 
tion at  Philip  Bush's  had  become  very  expensive  and  severe 
upon  us. 

The  Board  of  War  has  declared  that  ire  must  find  ourselves. 
They  only  allow  us  to  have  what  we  want  at  our  own  expense; 
and  on  making  an  attempt  to  settle  with  Philip  Bush,  he  would 
not  take  less  than  seventy-five  shillings,  hard  money,  Pennsyl- 
vania, per  week,  and  we  find  three  servants  to  help,  our  own 
bedding  and  washing,  tea,  sugar,  and  all  our  own  drink  of 
every  sort  except  water. 

9th  day,  and  first  day  of  the  week. — There  are  thirteen  of 
us  who  continued  to  board  at  Philip  Bush's,  and  we  were  joined 
there,  at  our  morning  meeting,  by  Thomas  Wharton,  Owen 
Jones,  Charles  Eddy,  Thomas  Affleck,  and  Elijah  Brown,  and 
most  of  our  landlord's  family  :  a  few  strangers  attended. 

Our  company  being  now  separated,  and  our  time  being  em- 
ployed in  writing,  reading,  and  visiting  our  friends  in  the  neigh- 
bourhood, without  any  great  variety,  we  think  it  unnecessary 
to  remark  the  ordinary  occurrences  of  every  day. 


RESIDENCE  AT  WINCHESTER. 


183 


We  shall,  therefore,  while  that  continues  to  be  the  case,  con- 
fine our  journal  to  things  of  a  general  nature. 

11th  day  of  1 1th  month. — Thomas  Bails  and  William  Robin- 
son, from  New  Garden,  in  North  Carolina,  visited  us.  They 
were  on  their  way  to  perform  a  religious  visit  to  the  Indians, 
for  which  they  appeared  to  be  under  proper  qualifications  and 
resignation  of  mind  ;  leaving  all,  and  at  the  risk  of  their  lives 
engaging  in  this  service  from  a  sense  of  duty  and  universal 
love  to  mankind,  engaged  our  sympathy  and  desire  that  they 
should  be  preserved  in  this  time  of  difficulty  and  danger  in  the 
arduous  undertaking. 

Thomas  Bails  expects  to  spend  the  greater  part  of  his  days 
among  the  Indians ;  and  having  visited  them  before,  he  will  be 
useful  among  them. 

12th  to  23d  of  11th  month. 

On  the  14th,  Israel  Pemberton,  Samuel  Pleasants,  Thomas 
Fisher,  and  Miers  Fisher,  dined  with  Alexander  White,  Esq., 
by  invitation,  at  his  house  about  three  miles  from  Winchester, 
and  were  kindly  entertained. 

Colonel  Francis  Peyton,  of  liOudon  County,  visited  us. 

Thomas  Gilpin  went  to  Major  Holmes's  at  Newtown. 

Our  afternoon  meeting  on  first  day,  having  greatly  increased, 
our  landlord  mentioned  that  we  might  have  the  use  of  a  suitable 
place,  belonging  to  the  Lutherans  and  Calvinists,  to  meet  in. 
On  considering  it  would  be  more  convenient,  and  that  the  in- 
habitants of  the  town  might  come  there  with  greater  freedom 
than  to  a  private  house,  we  accepted  it,  and  an  afternoon  meet- 
ing was  held  there  this  day,  for  the  first  time,  to  which  many 
came  of  divers  denominations. 

It  was  a  satisfactory  time.  Our  friend  John  Hunt,  in  a  clear 
and  edifying  manner,  preached  the  Gospel  of  peace  and  salva- 
tion. 

25th  of  11th  month  and  1st  of  the  week. — Sixteen  of  our 
number  attended  our  morning  meeting,  also  several  of  our 


184 


EXILES  FROM  PENNSYLVANIA. 


landlord's  family,  and  Daniel  M'Pherson,  jun.  and  John 
M'Plierson.  The  afternoon  meeting  was  held  in  the  same 
house  that  it  was  on  first  day  last,  and  was  very  near  full. 
Our  friends  John  Hunt  and  John  Pemberton  had  very  accepta- 
ble service  in  both. 

25th  of  11th  month. — About  seven  o'clock  this  evening,  our 
friends  John  Parrish  and  John  James,  from  Philadelphia,  paid 
us  a  visit,  and  gave  us  an  account  of  the  welfare  of  our  families 
and  of  friends  there,  to  our  great  satisfaction. 

27th. — Some  part  of  our  company  attended  the  preparatory 
meeting  at  Hopewell.  In  the  evening  there  was  a  remarkably 
brilliant  aurora  borealis.  It  continued  very  luminous  a  conside- 
rable time ;  it  extended  for  about  65  degrees  along  the  horizon 
at  the  northeast,  and  about  45  degrees  high,  of  a  rich  crimson 
colour ;  the  air  clear ;  the  stars  shone  through  it ;  after  which 
it  parted :  the  largest  body  went  more  to  the  north,  the  rest 
east. 

28th. — Our  company  assembled  agreeably  to  appointment  to 
take  into  consideration  our  singular  situation  for  near  three 
months  past.  That  we  have  been  deprived  of  our  liberties  and 
separated  from  our  friends  and  families,  without  learning  that 
our  oppressors  gave  any  attention  to  our  sufferings,  or  that 
they  intend  to  restore  us  to  our  just  rights. 

It  was  left  under  the  particular  care  of  such  as  are  inclined 
to  revive  a  representation  of  our  grievances,  to  propose  to  us 
what  measures  the  occasion  might  seem  to  require. 

30th. — Snow  had  fallen  the  28th  and  29th  to  become  fifteen 
inches  deep.  Thomas  Gilpin  and  Elijah  Brown,  from  the 
country,  and  Thomas  Pleasants  and  Ezekiel  Edwards,  our 
landlady  and  her  children,  attended  our  morning  meeting, 
which  was  silent  till  near  the  end,  when  our  friend  John  Pem- 
berton spoke  very  acceptably.  Our  afternoon  meeting  was 
attended  by  the  above  mentioned,  and  also  by  our  friends  John 
Parrish,  John  James,  and  a  number  of  Friends  from  the  neigh- 
bourhood, and  some  from  a  distance,  on  their  way  to  the 
monthly  meeting  at  Hopewell.  The  meeting  consisted  of  about 


RESIDENCE  AT  WINCHESTER. 


185 


sixty  persons,  and  on  account  of  the  deep  snow  was  held  at  our 
Iod(i;ina;s. 

Winchester,  2d  day  of  12th  month,  1777. — Our  friends  John 
James  and  John  Parrish  attended  our  meeting  to-day.  This 
day  Thomas  Gilpin,  who  went  to  live  at  Isaac  Brown's,  re- 
turned to  us  at  Philip  Bush's. 

8th. — Second  day  of  the  week.  The  essay  of  "  Observations 
on  the  charges  made  against  us  in  the  several  resolves  of  Con- 
gress," was  corrected,  agreed  to,  and  a  fair  copy  ordered  to  be 
made.  It  was  concluded  to  send  it  to  "  The  Meeting  for 
Suffering  at  Philadelphia,"  and  if  approved  by  them,  they  are 
left  at  liberty  to  publish  it.  Israel  Pemberton  and  Henry 
Drinker  are  to  prepare  a  letter  to  accompany  it. 

William  Drewet  Smith  soon  afterwards  rode  out  to  take  the 
air,  as  we  expected,  but  not  returning  as  usual,  we  apprehend 
he  has  gone  to  Philadelphia. 

12th. — Major  Joseph  Holmes,  under  whose  care  we  have 
been  for  some  time  placed  by  the  Board  of  War,  dined  with 
us.  When  he  was  informed  of  Dr.  William  D.  Smith  having 
left  us,  and  our  apprehensions  that  he  had  gone  to  Philadelphia, 
he  proposed  to  send  an  express  to  Congress  about  it,  but  he  de- 
ferred it  till  second  day  next. 

While  we  were  considering  "  The  Memorial  to  Congress" 
which  we  entered  upon,  after  our  meeting  for  worship,  we 
were  informed  that  Joseph  Holmes,  who  attended,  had  some 
fresh  instructions  to  communicate  concerning  us,  which  are  in 
a  further  order  from  the  Board  of  War,  to  wit: 

"  The  Board  of  War  having  had  sundry  intercepted  letters 
laid  before  them  from  several  of  the  Quakers,  prisoners  stationed 
at  Winchester,  in  the  State  of  Virginia,  by  which  it  appears 
they  have  kept  up  a  correspondence  with  several  others  of  that 
Society,  in  this  and  the  neighbouring  States,  without  previously 
showing  their  letters  to  the  American  Commissary  of  prisoners, 
or  to  any  other  proper  officer  at  that  place ;  in  the  course  of 
which  correspondence  it  also  appears  that  a  certain  Owen 


186 


EXILES  FROM  PENNSYLVANIA. 


Jones,  jun.,  one  of  the  said  prisoners,  is  carrying  on  with  sun- 
dry persons  in  the  town  of  Lancaster,  a  traflic  highly  injurious 
to  the  credit  of  the  Continental  currency,  by  exchanging  gold 
at  a  most  extravagant  premium  for  paper  money.  And 
whereas,  it  is  represented  to  this  Board,  that  since  the  residence 
of  the  above-mentioned  prisoners  at  Winchester,  the  confidence 
of  the  inhabitants  in  that  quarter  in  the  currency  of  these  States 
has  been  greatly  diminished,  especially  among  the  persons  of 
the  same  Society  with  themselves. 

"Ordered,  That  Owen  Jones,  jun.,  be  forthwith  removed 
under  guard  to  Staunton,  in  the  county  of  Augusta,  there  to  be 
closely  confined  in  jail,  and  debarred  the  use  of  pen,  ink,  and 
paper,  unless  for  such  purposes  and  for  such  occasions  as  the 
Lieutenant  of  the  said  county,  or  some  person  appointed  by 
him  for  that  purpose,  shall  deem  expedient. 

"  That  the  remainder  of  the  prisoners  sent  from  the  State  of 
Pennsylvania,  be  removed  under  the  same  guard  to  Staunton, 
and  delivered  to  the  county  Lieutenant  of  Augusta,  who  is 
hereby  directed  to  require  of  them  a  parole  or  affirmation,  that 
they  will  not,  directly  or  indirectly,  do  or  say  any  thing  tending 
to  the  prejudice  of  these  States,  agreeably  to  the  form  herewith 
transmitted  ;  and  in  case  of  refusal,  the  said  county  Lieutenant 
is  hereby  requested  to  confine  the  said  persons  in  some  secure 
building,  under  proper  guards,  and  subject  to  the  same  restric- 
tions with  Owen  Jones,  jun.,  before  mentioned. 

"  That  copies  of  these  orders,  together  with  the  intercepted 
letters  from  Owen  Jones,  jun.,  be  transmitted  to  Mr.  Joseph 
Holmes,  and  to  the  county  Lieutenant  of  Augusta ;  who  are 
desired  to  carry  the  above  measures  into  immediate  execution. 

"  Extract  from  the  minutes,  and  signed 

"  By  order  of  the  Board  of  War. 

"  Joseph  Noorse, 

"  Deputy  Secretary." 

Joseph  Nourse  also  produced  a  copy  of  a  letter  from  Owen 
Jones,  Jr.,  and  the  following  deposition  taken  at  Yorktown. 


RESIDENCE  AT  WINCHESTER. 


187 


The  name  of  the  person  was  erased,  but  the  substance  was — 

"  ,  of  Yorktovvn,  in  the  State  of  Pennsylvania, 

being  duly  examined,  and  sworn  on  the  Holy  Evangelists  of 
Almighty  God,  deposeth  and  sayeth.  That  being  last  week  at 
Winchester,  in  the  State  of  Virginia,  he  heard  several  of  the 
inhabitants  complain  heavily,  that  since  the  Tories  of  the 
Quaker  Society  who  were  sent  up  from  Philadelphia,  had  been 
enlarged,  and  permitted  to  reside  at  the  Quaker  houses  in  the 
vicinity  of  the  town,  the  inhabitants  of  that  Society,  who  are 
numerous  in  that  part  of  the  country,  have  very  generally  re- 
fused to  take  Continental  money." 

Some  of  our  company  attempting  to  walk  out,  found  guards 
were  placed  at  the  doors  without  our  being  previously  informed 
of  it,  and  we  are  again  made  close  prisoners.  We  soon  after 
learned  that  Joseph  Holmes,  before  he  communicated  these 
orders  to  us,  had  given  directions  to  David  Kennedy  to  provide 
wagons  for  our  immediate  removal. 

The  injustice  and  cruelty  of  this  order  to  remove  us  being 
laid  before  Joseph  Holmes,  he  was  informed  of  our  being  then 
met  to  conclude  on  a  memorial  to  Congress,  which  we  ex- 
pected to  have  sent  by  some  one  of  our  number:  this  he  in- 
formed us  he  could  by  no  means  now  agree  to.  Then  we  pro- 
posed to  prepare  one  and  he  to  go  with  it,  which  he  declined  ; 
but  at  length  agreed  that  we  might  send  a  representation  to 
Congress,  and  wait  their  further  determination  concerning  us. 

Those  of  our  company  who  lodge  in  the  country  had  leave 
to  go  thither,  having  agreed  to  meet  us  again  to-morrow 
morning. 

18th  day. — Our  company  collected  at  eleven  o'clock,  when 
the  subject  of  yesterday  was  resumed.  Israel  Pemberton,  Ed- 
ward Pennington,  Henry  Drinker,  and  Miers  Fisher,  were 
appointed  to  prepare  an  essay  of  a  memorial  to  "  The  Con- 
gress," and  to  the  Council  of  Pennsylvania. 

Joseph  Holmes,  Alexander  White,  David  Kennedy,  and 
John  Magill,  being  with  us  this  morning,  John  Holmes  was 


188 


EXILES  FROM  PENNSYLVANIA. 


urged  particularly  by  A.  White  and  John  Magill  to  go  with 
our  memorial.  In  this,  as  well  as  a  consideration  of  our 
present  circumstances,  he  showed  a  very  friendly  disposition. 
They  dined  with  us,  and  it  was  proposed  to  Alexander  White 
to  go,  (J.  Holmes  continuing  to  decline  it,)  to  which  he  pro- 
mised to  let  us  know  in  the  morning.  In  the  afternoon  our 
guards  were  ordered  away,  and  those  of  our  company  who 
live  in  the  country  permitted  to  go  there. 

lOth. — We  received  a  note  from  Alexander  White,  Esq.,  in- 
forming us  of  his  conclusion  to  undertake  our  business. 

Our  kind  friends,  John  Parrish  and  John  James,  who  had 
from  brotherly  regard  undertaken  so  long  a  journey  to  visit  us, 
took  an  affectionate  leave  of  us  this  afternoon,  and  set  out  for 
the  Quarterly  Meeting  at  Fairfax,  Loudon  County. 

Our  company  being  all  met,  in  the  evening  our  memorial 
was  read  to  Alexander  White,  Esq.,  David  Kennedy,  and 
Philip  Bush,  who  all  expressed  their  approbation  of  it.  The 
two  first  mentioned,  that  if  we  were  discharged,  it  would  be 
expected  we  should  give  some  assurance  that  we  would  not 
convey  any  intelligence,  and  urged  our  adding  a  paragraph 
thereon  to  the  memorial,  which  we  had  proposed  to  do  in  our 
instruction  to  Alexander  White.  After  they  withdrew,  taking 
it  into  consideration,  we  found  ourselves  easy  to  add  an 
assurance,  which  was  accordingly  done. 

Two  fair  copies  of  the  memorial  being  made  and  signed, 
are  as  follows : 

"  TO   THE  CONGRESS,  AND  TO   THE   EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL  OF 
PENNSYLVANIA. 

*'  A  memorial  from  the  subscribers,  inhabitants  of  the  city 
of  Philadelphia,  who  were  sent  from  thence,  and  are  now- 
confined  at  Winchester,  in  Virginia,  by  order  of  the  President 
and  Council  of  Pennsylvania,  in  pursuance  of  a  recommenda- 
tion of  Congress,  dated  28th  day  of  August  last. 

"  Having  borne  with  patience  an  imprisonment  of  upwards 
of  three  months,  at  a  great  distance  from  our  families,  and 


RESIDENCE  AT  WINCHESTER. 


189 


having  a  proper  sense  of  the  value  of  thnt  liberty  of  which 
we  have  been  unjustly  deprived,  we  apprehend  it  our  duty 
to  ourselves,  and  to  our  endeared  connexions  from  whom  we 
have  been  thus  separated,  and  who  inust  have  suffered  from 
our  absence  in  this  time  of  great  calamity,  to  make  some 
further  application  for  our  relief;  and  as  our  banishment  was 
the  act  of  both  your  bodies,  we  think  it  most  proper  to  address 
you  jointly. 

"  While  we  were  preparing  a  memorial  for  this  purpose,  we 
were  informed  by  Joseph  Holmes,  who  has  the  care  of  the 
prisoners  of  war  in  this  district,  that  he  had  received  some 
directions  from  the  Board  of  War,  concerning  us,  which  he 
soon  after  communicated. 

"  We  were  much  surprised  at  the  substance  of  those  direc- 
tions, and  also  that  they  should  come  from  a  Board  which  we 
apprehended  had  nothing  to  do  with  us ;  as  we  were  not  found 
in  arms,  nor  charged  in  any  measures  tending  to  war ;  and  of 
this  opinion  was  Elias  Boudinot,  Esq.,  the  Commissary-General 
for  prisoners  of  war,  who  assured  us  at  Reading  on  our  way 
hither,  that  we  could  by  no  means  whatever  be  considered  as 
prisoners  of  war ;  and  that  if  we  had  been,  he  should  have 
had  the  charge  of  us,  and  would  have  interested  himself  in 
providing  for  our  accommodation  and  support. 

"Before  we  left  Philadelphia,  we  applied  to  the  Council  by 
question  in  writing,  through  Lewis  Nicola,  town  major,  to  know 
to  whose  custody  we  should  be  committed  while  here ;  they  re- 
turned us  for  answer  by  him — 

"That  the  Governor  of  Virginia  would  have  the  charge  of 
us.  In  consequence  of  which,  soon  after  our  arrival  here,  we 
presented  an  address  to  the  Governor  and  Council  of  Virginia, 
together  with  copies  of  the  papers  accompanying  us,  request- 
ing them  to  enlarge  our  bounds,  and  not  permit  us  to  be  re- 
moved further  from  home ;  that  we  might  be  speedily  heard 
in  our  own  defence,  and  in  the  mean  time  that  we  should  be 
supported  and  maintained,  according  to  the  expectations  given 
us  before  our  banishment. 


190 


EXILES  FROM  PENNSYLVANIA. 


"Whereupon,  the  Council  advised  the  Governor,  and  he 
adopted  the  advice,  to  direct  the  lieutenant  of  this  county  to 
allow  us  the  benefit  of  air  and  exercise,  and  to  afford  us  pro- 
tection and  humane  treatment;  and  in  the  mean  time  to  write 
to  the  Council  of  Pennsylvania,  informing  them  of  the  situa- 
tion of  their  prisoners  at  Winchester.  Whether  the  Governor 
of  Virginia  has  ever  written  on  the  subject  or  not,  we  have  not 
yet  been  informed,  but  apprehend  we  are  under  his  immediate 
direction  in  this  place,  and  ought  not  to  be  removed  further  by 
the  Board  of  War,  or  indeed  by  any  other  power,  without  his 
concurrence. 

"  The  reasons  assigned  by  the  Board  of  War  on  their  order 
for  our  removal,  are  very  inadequate  to  so  great  an  aggrava- 
tion of  our  sufferings.  They  are  comprehended  under  three 
heads.  These  we  shall  endeavour  to  answer  so  fully  as  to  in- 
duce you  to  interfere  with  them  to  prevent  their  being  carried 
into  execution. 

"  The  charges  against  us  are : 

"  First.  That  we  have  held  a  correspondence  with  divers  of 
our  friends,  without  communicating  our  letters  to  a  proper 
officer. 

"  Second.  That  Owen  Jones,  Jr.,  one  of  our  company,  had 
exchanged  gold  at  an  extravagant  premium,  whereby  the  Con- 
tinental currency  became  much  depreciated  in  these  parts. 

"  Third.  That  since  our  coming  here,  the  confidence  of  the 
inhabitants,  and  especially  those  of  our  Society,  in  Continental 
money,  was  diminished. 

«'  To  the  first.  Though  we  never  were  informed  that  it  was 
necessary,  our  letters  to  our  families  and  friends  should  be  in- 
spected by  any  officer  here ;  we  did  ofier  them  on  our  first 
arrival  to  the  lieutenant  of  the  county,  who  politely  declined 
reading  them,  and  expressing  his  confidence  that  we  should  not 
communicate  any  public  intelligence,  permitted  us  to  send  our 
letters  without  any  application  to  him.  And  we  have  been 
careful  not  to  give  any  cause  of  offence  in  what  we  have 
written,  having  confined  our  correspondence  to  our  families 


RESIDENCE  AT  WINCHESTER. 


191 


and  our  friends,  and  the  subjects  in  our  letters  to  our  private 
concerns  ;  many  of  them  have  gone  through  the  public  channels, 
where  they  have  been  or  might  be  examined. 

"  For  an  answer  to  the  second.  We  refer  to  state  of  the  case 
of  Owen  Jones,  Jr.,  by  him  sent  to  James  Duane,  Esq.,  mem- 
ber of  Congress,  to  be  laid  before  you. 

"  To  the  third.  Requires  particular  delicacy  in  answering. 
But  as  it  seems  to  carry  an  insinuation  that  we  have  been  the 
cause  of  the  diminution  of  the  confidence  of  the  people  in  the 
Continental  currency,  it  is  necessary  we  should  say  so  much 
upon  the  subject  as  will  vindicate  ourselves. 

"  Upon  our  arrival  here,  we  found  that  currency  depreciated, 
as  it  was  in  other  places,  to  a  very  considerable  degree ;  or 
what  is  the  same  thing,  all  articles  of  life  risen  to  enormous 
prices.  The  people  of  the  neighbourhood,  as  well  traders  as 
farmers,  unwilling  to  part  with  their  merchandise  or  produce 
of  any  sort,  but  by  way  of  barter  for  other  necessaries  they 
were  in  need  of ;  and  this  prevailed  so  much  among  people  of 
all  denominations,  that  we  could  not  procure  our  board  in  the 
town  of  Winchester,  at  a  lesser  rate  than  five  times  the  former 
accustomed  price,  although  we  were  provided  with  most  if  not 
all  the  foreign  articles  we  used  ;  and  as  many  of  us  had  no 
other  money  to  pay  for  what  we  wanted,  it  was  our  interest 
to  make  it  go  as  far  as  we  could ;  nor  have  any  of  us  ex- 
changed gold  or  silver  with  the  inhabitants  at  any  rate,  except 
in  one  instance,  of  three  half  johannes,  spared  to  a  goldsmith 
on  his  application,  to  work  them  up,  or  used  any  other  means 
to  lessen  the  value  of  the  Continental  currency,  nor  expended 
gold  or  silver  in  the  purchase  of  any  articles,  but  such  as  could 
not  easily  be  had  for  any  other  money.  If  then,  the  confidence 
of  the  people  in  that  money  is  diminished,  it  must  be  ascribed 
to  other  causes  than  to  our  residence  here. 

These  hints  will,  we  hope,  be  sufficient  to  show  that  the 
causes  assigned  for  our  removal,  will  not  justify  so  rigorous  a 
proceeding. 

"  The  removing  of  us  an  hundred  miles  further  from  home 


192 


EXILES  FROM  PENNSYLVANIA. 


at  the  most  inclement  season  of  the  year ;  along  a  road  ren- 
dered by  the  weather  very  difficult  to  be  passed  by  carriages  ; 
through  a  country  thinly  settled,  where  accommodation  for  so 
great  a  number  of  persons,  several  of  whom  are  aged,  and 
others  very  infirm  of  body,  cannot  be  had  at  a  place  where  we 
are  utter  strangers,  and  where  we  shall  be  at  such  a  distance 
from  our  distressed  families,  that  we  shall  seldom  hear  of  their 
situation  at  a  time  when  our  care  and  attention  to  them  is  most 
wanted,  are  punishments  which  could  only  be  inflicted  for 
crimes  of  a  deep  dye. 

"  But  this  is  not  all.  An  affirmation  or  oath  is  to  be  tendered 
to  us  when  we  arrive  there,  and  upon  our  refusal,  we  are  to 
be  closely  confined  to  a  house,  without  the  use  of  pen,  ink,  or 
paper ;  contrary  to  the  repeated  assurances  given  us,  that  we 
were  to  be  treated  with  humanity  and  politeness,  agreeably  to 
our  characters  and  stations. 

"  We  have  heretofore  declared  in  the  most  positive  terms 
our  innocence  of  giving  any  cause  for  the  suspicions  entertained 
against  us.  We  have  never  had  any  hearing  of  any  kind,  nor 
have  been  convicted  of  any  offence.  For  these  reasons  we 
refused  to  sign  the  written  promise  offered  to  us  at  Philadelphia. 
The  same  reasons  yet  subsist ;  we  are  as  innocent  now  as  then, 
and  therefore  cannot  make  ourselves  voluntary  prisoners,  and 
thereby  give  colour  to  the  proceedings  against  us. 

"  During  our  continuance  here,  no  provision  has  been  made 
for  our  support ;  nor  does  it  appear  that  any  is  made  for  our 
journey  to  Staunton,  or  during  our  residence  there,  as  we  were 
given  to  understand  by  the  Council  should  be  done.  And  there 
are  several  among  us  u-ho  have  no  other  dependence  for  the 
support  of  their  families  than  their  occupations,  which  they  are 
by  this  means  prevented  from  following. 

"  We  therefore  entreat  you  will  take  our  suflfering  case  into 
consideration,  and  review  the  whole  proceedings  had  against 
us,  when  we  doubt  not  you  will  find  that  we  have  given  no  just 
cause  for  our  severe  treatment,  and  that  you  will  not  only  super- 
sede the  orders  given  by  the  Board  of  War  for  our  removal. 


RESIDENCE  AT  WINCHESTER. 


193 


but  restore  us  to  our  liberty,  that  we  may  return  to  our  families, 
whereby  all  occasion  of  future  jealousy  or  suspicion  against 
us  will  be  removed,  and  you  will  experience  that  peace  of 
mind  which  always  accompanies  the  doing  acts  of  justice  to 
the  oppressed.  And  in  order  to  convince  you  that  no  incon- 
venience can  thus  arise  to  you  from  thus  discharging  us,  we 
solemnly  repeat  the  declarations  we  have  heretofore  made, 
that  we  have  never  held  any  correspondence  verbally  or  other- 
wise, with  the  General  of  the  British  armies,  or  any  others 
concerned  in  concerting  or  carrying  on  their  military  opera- 
tions ;  and  are  free  further  to  declare  that  we  will  not  give 
them  any  information  of  the  circumstances  of  this  country,  the 
disposition  of  the  inhabitants,  or  any  transactions  respecting 
the  contest  between  Great  Britain  and  America,  which  may 
have  come  to  our  knowledge  since  our  residence  here. 

"  Being  debarred  from  making  a  personal  application,  we 
have  prevailed  upon  Alexander  White,  Esq.,  a  gentleman  of 
character  in  this  neighbourhood,  to  wait  on  both  your  bodies 
with  this  memorial,  who  being  well  acquainted  with  the  senti- 
ments of  ihe  people,  and  with  our  conduct,  will  be  able  to 
satisfy  you  further  upon  any  particulars  you  may  think  proper 
to  inquire  into. 

"  We  are  your  real  friends, 

Thomas  Gilpin,  John  Hunt, 

Miers  Fisher,  James  Pemberton, 

Samuel  Pleasants,  John  Pemberton, 

Owen  Jones,  jun.,  Thomas  Wharton, 

Thomas  Pike,  Edward  Pennington, 

Thomas  Affleck,  Henry  Drinker, 

William  Smith,  (broker,)         Charles  Jervis, 
Elijah  Brown,  Thomas  Fisher, 

Charles  Eddy,  Samuel  R.  Fisher. 

Israel  Pemberton, 

"Winchester,  19th  of  12th  month,  1777." 


13 


194 


EXILES  FROM  PENNSYLVANIA. 


INSTRUCTIONS  TO  ALEXANDER  WHITE,  ESQ.,  WITH  A  LIST 
OF  PAPERS  DELIVERED  HIM. 

"  Our  situation  lias  been  from  the  beginning  peculiarly  hard, 
as  the  parties  accusing  us  are  the  only  persons  to  whom  we 
have  been  permitted  to  apply  for  relief.  The  only  power  who 
could  have  interfered,  the  Chief  Justice  of  Pennsylvania,  having 
been  forbidden  to  proceed  upon  writs  of  habeas  corpus,  by  a 
law  made  ex  post  facto. 

"  If  Congress  are  disposed  to  favour  our  request  of  a  dis- 
charge, it  is  most  probable  they  will  refer  thee  to  the  Council, 
with  whom  all  arguments  should  be  used  for  a  discharge,  and 
among  others,  this : 

"  That  they  offered  to  discharge  us  in  Philadelphia,  upon 
our  taking  the  test.  The  necessity  of  which  being  removed  by 
^jour  going  there  now,  and  having  engaged  not  to  give  any  in- 
telligence, all  objections  are  removed. 

"  If  there  appears  no  prospect  of  a  discharge,  nor  of  our 
having  a  hearing,  we  then  ask  thy  best  efforts  to  procure  a 
supersedeas  to  the  order  for  our  removal  to  Staunton  ;  and  to 
obtain  this,  it  will  be  proper  to  urge,  that  the  causes  are  not 
founded  in  truth  and  justice,  and  among  other  arguments,  the 
following  in  regard  to  Owen  Jones,  Jr. 

"  That  his  sending  his  gold  to  a  place  so  distant  to  exchange 
for  Continental  money  which  was  to  be  expended  here,  was  by 
no  means  depreciating  that  currency;  but  on  the  contrary, 
interested  him  in  the  support  of  its  credit. 

"  With  respect  to  ourselves,  the  insinuation  is  false  ;  for  we 
have  never  done  one  act  to  diminish  the  confidence  of  the 
people  in  it;  their  confidence  was  less  in  the  Continental  cur- 
rency than  in  gold,  long  before  our  arrival,  as  many  instances 
within  our  own  knowledge  show,  and  the  decrease  of  this  con- 
fidence may  be  accounted  for — 

"  1st.  By  the  great  quantities  of  it  in  circulation. 

"  2d.  The  increasing  scarcity  of  gold  and  silver,  which  has 
been  exported  in  large  quantities  for  the  purchase  of  foreign 


m 


KESIDENCE  AT  WINCHESTER. 


195 


goods,  and  the  scarcity  of  many  articles  of  life,  such  as  salt, 
spirits,  woollen  and  linen  cloths,  which  have  risen  to  enormous 
prices,  and  the  scarcity  has  had  an  eflect  upon  every  article  of 
produce,  and  introduced  a  barter  of  one  article  for  another. 

"  3d.  The  notorious  practice  of  persons  in  the  neighbourhood 
of  the  British  army,  who  buy  or  procure  great  quantities  of 
Continental  currency  at  a  low  rate,  and  take  it  to  a  remote 
place  to  purchase  gold  and  silver,  all  manner  of  produce,  and 
even  lands,  to  realize  property,  as  they  term  it. 

"  As  this  is  an  increasing  thing,  the  imputation  may  be  made 
as  justly  against  us  at  Staunton  as  any  where  else  they  send  us. 
That  we  are  under  the  immediate  protection  of  the  Governor 
of  Virginia,  who  has  promised  us  protection,  and  who  ought  to 
be  consulted  as  to  the  place  we  shall  be  located  in  his  jurisdic- 
tion. That  we  are  not  prisoners  of  war,  but  persons  who  are 
deprived  of  our  liberty  on  groundless  suspicions,  and  ought  not 
to  be  punished  on  suspicions,  nor  before  we  are  convicted. 

"  With  respect  to  hardships,  we  represent,  inter  alia : 

"  That  the  stock  of  necessaries  we  brought  with  us  is  nearly 
expended  ;  they  have  become  absolutely  necessary,  especially 
in  a  limestone  country,  where  the  water  has  affected  most 
of  us. 

"  That  several  of  us  are  in  want  of  linen  and  warm  clothing, 
which  cannot  be  had  here  at  any  price. 

"  That  the  season  of  the  year,  the  badness  of  the  road, 
want  of  proper  carriages,  want  of  accommodation  on  the 
road,  will  endanger  the  lives  of  some  of  the  aged  and  infirm 
among  us. 

"  That  some  of  us  are  not  in  circumstances  to  bear  such  an 
expense,  having  no  means  to  support  their  families  in  Philadel- 
phia, but  their  occupations;  and  the  money  they  brought  with 
them  in  expectation  of  having  their  support,  is  expended,  and 
they  have  no  means  of  procuring  a  supply. 

"  That  our  general  conduct  has  been  inoffensive,  not  having 
interfered  in  any  political  questions,  nor  used  any  means  to  in- 
fluence public  measures. 


196 


EXILES  FROM  PENNSYLVANIA. 


"  Thou  wilt  also  endeavour  to  procure  an  ordei-  for  our  ex- 
penses during  our  confinement  here,  and  the  more  especially  if 
we  are  to  be  continued  in  confinement,  for  some  of  us  cannot 
otherioise  support  themselves. 

"  These  hints  will  perhaps  assist  thee  soliciting  this  affair. 
But  we  do  not  desire  to  anticipate  thy  own  judgment.  And 
therefore  conclude  with  our  best  wishes  for  thy  success,  and 
safe  return. 

"  Thy  assured  and  obliged  friend, 

"  In  behalf  of  my  fellow-sufferers  and  myself, 

"  MiERS  Fisher. 

"  Winchester,  Frederick  County,  Virginia, 

20th  December,  1777. 
"  To  Alexander  White,  Esquire." 

A.  White  being  furnished  with  the  papers,  took  leave  of  us 
this  evening,  and  returned  to  his  home,  distant  about  two  miles. 
He  is  to  go  on  to  Congress  at  Yorktown,  in  the  morning. 

21st  day  of  12th  month. — First  day.  Our  morning  meeting 
was  attended  by  ten,  and  our  afternoon  meeting  by  twelve  of 
our  number ;  none  coming  in  from  the  country. 

This  day  George  Gilpin  of  Alexandria  arrived,  on  a  visit 
to  us. 

In  the  evening  there  was  a  fine  aurora  borealis. 

23d. — A  letter  was  written  to  our  friend  Robert  Pleasants. 

28th. — INine  of  our  number,  and  George  Gilpin,  attended 
our  meeting.  Our  friend,  John  Pemberton,  appeared  both  in 
the  morning  and  afternoon ;  in  both  very  profitably. 

31st. — Our  weekday  meeting  was  attended  by  ten  of  our 
number,  and  George  Gilpin  and  Joseph  Lupton.  The  account 
of  our  being  ordered  to  Staunton  had  reached  our  friends  in 
the  city,  which  must  cause  them  great  uneasiness. 

About  4  o'clock,  afternoon,  we  received  a  letter  from  Alex- 
ander White,  Esq.,  dated  at  Yorktown,  the  26th  inst.,  inform- 
ing us  he  had  conversed  with  the  Pennsylvania  delegates  in  a 


RESIDENCE  AT  WINCHESTER. 


197 


body,  and  had  delivered  our  memorial  on  the  24th.  He  had 
conversed  with  several  members  of  Congress,  and  entertained 
some  hopes  of  success. 


The  preceding  "Journal  of  Transactions,  &c.,"  was  kept  by 
the  exiles  at  Winchester,  Virginia ;  it  commenced  at  tlie  time 
of  their  being  arrested  at  Philadelphia,  in  September,  1777, 
and  continued  to  31st  December,  1777.  This  copy  is  taken 
from  a  journal  in  the  handwriting  of  Samuel  R.  Fisher,  which 
was  his  own  copy  of  it ;  and  there  does  not  appear  to  have 
been  any  Journal  of  the  company  kept  after  that  time. 

The  succeeding  part  of  this  narrative  is  copied  from  the 
diary  of  James  Pemberton,  and  thus  completes  "The  Journal 
of  the  Friends  in  Exile  in  Virginia,"  it  being  from  the  termina- 
tion of  the  year  1777  to  the  30lh  of  April,  1778,  on  which 
day  those  members  of  the  company  which  returned,  reached 
Philadelphia. 

The  diary  of  James  Pemberton  is  in  possession  of  his  grand- 
son, James  P.  Parke. 


JOURNAL  OF  THE  FRIENDS  IN  EXILE  IN  VIRGINIA. 

TAKEN  FROM  THE  DIARY  OF  JAMES  PEMBERTON. 
Commencing  1st  month,  1778,  and  ending  30th  of  4th  month,  1778. 

Winchester,  1st  day  of  1st  month,  1778. — Fifth  day  of  the 
week.  A  moderate  calm  pleasant  day  for  the  season.  In  the 
afternoon,  visited  by  Joseph  Pemberton,  Isaac  and  William 
Jackson,  who  called  on  their  return  from  Hopewell. 


198 


EXILES  FROM  PENNSYLVANIA. 


4th  day.  First  day  of  the  week. — Nine  of  our  exiled  com- 
pany, with  Isaac  and  William  Jackson,  Rees  Cadwallader, 
Sarah  Brown,  and  Joseph  Pemberlon,  William  Matthew,  John 
Hurst,  Edward  Jones,  John  James,  Ruth  Holland,  Ruth  Miller, 
and  other  friends,  attended  our  morning  and  afternoon  meet- 
ings ;  we  were  comforted  by  a  sense  of  ancient  kindness. 

My  brother,  John  Pemberton,  gave  a  seasonable  exhortation, 
which  with  a  sense  of  the  immediate  attendings  of  Divine 
favour,  gave  us  fresh  occasion  for  thankfulness. 

7th. — At  a  meeting  on  the  4th  day  of  the  week,  our  friends 
from  Pennsylvania  expressed  a  desire  to  see  all  our  banished 
company  together ;  and  this  day  being  appointed,  and  notice 
sent  them,  our  meeting  was  generally  attended,  and  George 
Gilpin  and  our  landlady  were  present. 

At  the  close  we  had  a  solid  conference,  at  which  our  friends 
were  informed  of  our  present  situation  ;  of  the  order  for  our 
removal  to  Staunton,  and  our  memorial  to  Staunton. 

Our  friend  Isaac  Zane,  seemed  under  a  religious  concern  to 
visit  Congress  and  the  Council.  Our  Pennsylvania  friends  all 
dined  with  us,  and  concluded  to  remain  a  few  days  in  the 
neighbourhood,  as  we  have  expected  the  return  of  Alexander 
White. 

11th. — First  day  of  the  week.  Ten  of  our  company  attended 
our  meeting ;  also  George  Gilpin,  Benjamin  Hough,  John  James, 
Thomas  Millhouse,  and  other  Friends.  We  spent  the  evening 
together,  conferring  on  our  present  circumstances. 

We  received  a  letter  from  Alexander  White,  Esq.,  dated  at 
Yorktown,  on  the  8th  instant,  informing  us  he  had  been  at 
Lancaster,  and  presented  our  memorial  to  the  President  and 
Council  of  Pennsylvania,  who  soon  came  to  a  resolution  to 
refer  it  to  Congress,  whose  prisoners  they  considered  us  to  be. 
That  he  could  not  obtain  a  copy  of  the  resolve.  But  that  the 
Secretary,  Timothy  Matlack,  communicated  to  him  the  letter 
he  had  written  to  the  delegates  of  Pennsylvania,  intimating, 
but  not  expressly  declaring,  "  That  as  the  original  arrest  was 
thought  hy  many  not  to  have  answered  any  good  purpose,  as 


RESIDENCE  AT  WINCHESTER. 


199 


things  had  turned  out,  and  the  detaining  in  confinement  not  ser- 
viceable to  the  public  cause,  they  wished  us  to  he  released,"  in 
fact,  that  they  loantcd  us  to  be  set  at  liberty  to  get  rid  of  us.  He 
said  he  would  urge  Congress  to  come  to  some  further  determi- 
nation, and  he  hoped  to  get  their  decision  in  a  short  time,  and 
then  to  return  to  us  here.  A  consideration  of  our  business  had 
been  postponed  by  other  matters  engaging  their  attention. 

Thus  we  have  at  length  obtained  from  the  Council  a  tacit 
acknowledgment  of  the  injustice  of  our  banishment,  and  a 
declaration  that  we  are  not  their  prisoners  ; — and  Congress  de- 
clare ihey  will  not  have  any  thing  to  do  with  the  internal  policy 
of  the  different  states  ; — we  certainly  are  not  persons  subject  to 
the  Board  of  War,  for  we  were  not  taken  as  fighting  men,  or 
found  in  arms. 

This  account  of  Alexander  White,  Esq.,  afforded  us  a  pros- 
pect of  some  favourable  result ;  but  our  hopes  were  much 
allayed  by  the  accounts  we  subsequently  received. 

In  the  afternoon.  Colonel  David  Kennedy  called,  and  read 
us  an  order  to  him  from  the  government  of  Virginia,  directing 
him  to  carry  into  strict  execution  the  orders  of  Congress,  for  our 
immediate  removal  to  Staunton.  Thus  we  are  tossed  about 
from  one  power  to  another,  as  we  have  been  from  the  first  of 
our  suffering,  which  requires  a  further  exercise  of  our  patience 
and  stability. 

The  contents  of  this  letter  plainly  implying  that  Colonel 
Kennedy  was  to  follow  the  directions  of  the  Board  of  War, 
we  informed  him  of  our  expectations  that  he  would  wait  till 
we  heard  further  from  Alexander  White,  to  which  he  gave  us 
little  satisfaction,  but  appeared  to  be  disposed  to  urge  our  im- 
mediate removal. 

13th. — A  cold  frosty  night,  keenly  cold,  with  little  wind. 
This  morning  about  11  o'clock.  Colonel  Kennedy  placed  a 
guard  at  each  door  of  our  house,  and  we  were  again  made 
close  prisoners  ;  but  in  about  an  hour  he  ordered  them  away. 
Our  landlord  promoted  it,  because  he  found  fault  with  guards 
being  at  his  house ;  and  without  our  privity  entered  into  a  pro- 


200 


EXILES  FROM  PENNSYLVANIA. 


mise  that  no  person  should  be  permitted  to  see  us  unless  in  his 
presence. 

We  received  a  letter  from  Alexander  White,  stating  his 
having  returned  home ;  that  he  had  left  our  business  unfinished 
before  ('ongress,  but  would  come  to  see  us  in  the  morning. 

15th. — Our  banished  company  came  together,  except  Thomas 
Wharton,  who  was  quite  unwell.  Alexander  White,  Esquire, 
met  us  to  give  a  particular  account  of  his  proceedings  before 
the  Congress,  and  before  the  President  and  Council  of  Penn- 
sylvania, on  our  memorial,  on  which  he  appears  to  have  taken 
great  pains,  though  yet  without  the  desired  effect.  The  Council 
referred  the  case  to  Congress.  On  his  return  to  Congress  at 
York,  it  was  again  taken  up  several  times,  and  as  often  post- 
poned through  the  influence  of  members  opposed  to  us,  and  he 
came  away,  leaving  the  matter  unfinished.  Alexander  White 
had  made  his  own  statement  of  our  case  in  writing. 

Alexander  White  stated  that  he  was  assured  by  some  mem- 
bers of  the  Board  of  War,  that  they  did  not  mean  to  carry  the 
order  for  our  removal  to  Staunton  at  once  into  execution. 
We  therefore  thought  it  necessary  to  inform  Colonel  Kennedy 
of  this  view  of  the  matter,  and  he  readily  agreed  to  suspend  all 
preparations  until  further  instructions  came  on,  or  that  Congress 
should  determine  upon  it. 

From  the  account  Alexander  White  gave  us  of  the  conver- 
sations he  had  with  several  members  of  the  Congress  as  well 
as  the  Council,  there  are  many  opinions. — Some  are  for  our  dis- 
charge, condemning  the  v  hole  proceeding  as  arbitrary  and,  un- 
just. Others /or  discharging  us,  because  if  we  were  dangerous 
men  at  the  time  of  our  being  taken  up,  we  would  now  do  less 
harm  in  Philadelphia  than  where  we  are. — Others  loere  for  dis- 
charging us,  because  if  we  pursue  our  own  inclinations,  to  go 
ivhere  u-e  choose,  and  go  to  Philadelphia,  now  in  possession  of  the 
British,  and  within  their  lines,  our  estates  would  be  confiscated 
as  persons  joining  the  enemy. — Some  were  candid  enough  to  say 
that  they  knew  nothing  could  be  proved  against  us. 

Colonel  Wood,  lately  returned  from  camp,  appears  to  interest 


RESIDENCE  AT  WINCHESTER. 


201 


himself  very  much  in  our  hard  case;  as  also  Joseph  Holmes, 
the  Commissary.  The  letter  to  him  from  the  Board  of  War, 
approved  of  his  conduct  generally,  since  they  knew  he  had 
granted  us  the  liberty  of  the  town  and  vicinity  of  Winchester ; 
and  he  had  no  intention  of  taking  any  steps  for  our  removal 
until  he  heard  the  result  of  our  memorial  to  Congress. 

George  Gilpin,  who  was  here  on  a  visit  to  his  brother, 
Thomas  Gilpin,  has  long  awaited  the  return  of  Alexander 
White,  Esq.,  to  know  the  result  of  his  negotiation ;  he  now 
expressed  a  willingness  to  go  to  Congress,  and  use  his  endea- 
vours for  an  honourable  determination  of  our  memorial,  the 
consideration  of  which  it  was  expected  would  be  taken  up 
again. 

On  a  conference  thereon,  it  was  agreed  to  his  going,  parti- 
cularly as  he  is  well  acquainted  with  some  of  the  delegates 
from  Pennsylvania  and  Virginia,  and  has  been  in  the  public 
service  from  the  commencement  of  the  war  till  the  end  of 
this  campaign ;  holding  the  office  of  Colonel  in  the  Fairfax 
militia.  He  had  a  proper  sense  of  the  justness  of  our  cause, 
and  of  the  ill  policy  of  the  measure  proposed  against  us.  We 
are,  therefore,  to  furnish  him  with  the  necessary  papers  to  pro- 
secute his  business.  He  goes  first  to  his  home  at  Alexandria, 
and  from  thence  in  a  few  days  to  York. 

17th.  Seventh  day  of  the  week. — Israel  Pemberton  wrote  to 
his  wife,  enclosing  his  letter  to  Elias  Boudinot.  George  Gilpin 
set  off  about  ten  o'clock.  A  dull  day  ;  rain  and  hail  most  of  the 
day. 

18th.  First  day. — Our  meetings  silent;  a  high  northwest 
wind  and  cold  atmosphere.  Received  the  following  letter  from 
Colonel  Joseph  Holmes  to  Miers  Fisher,  dated 

"  Shippensburg,  17th  of  January,  1778. 

"  Dear  Sir, — 

"  On  a  second  consideration  of  the  request  of  yourself  and 
the  rest  of  the  gentlemen,  I  have  thought  it  will  be  attended 
with  civil  consequences  to  you. 


202 


EXILES  FROM  PENNSYLVANIA. 


"  You'll  remember  it  was  the  opinion  of  some  gentlemen, 
who  are  your  friends,  that  the  reasons  on  which  the  order  of 
the  Board  of  War  was  founded,  was  principally  owing  to  that 
indulgence  permitting  the  gentlemen  to  ride  out  among  the  in- 
habitants. 

"  I  am  very  sensible  the  complaints  were  made  to  the  Board 
by  some  men  in  Winchester ;  and  since  they  find  it  gives  ear 
to  such  mischievous  clamours,  and  puts  you  to  so  much  trouble 
and  expense,  they  will  be  glad  of  the  opportunity  to  blow  the 
matter  up  again  should  they  meet  with  success.  It  is  no  more 
than  probable,  taking  the  two  complaints  together,  the  Board 
may  order  matters  to  be  more  disagreeable,  than  is  at  present 
expected. 

"  I  hope  you  are  well  convinced  of  my  sentiments  in  regard 
to  your  unhappy  situation,  and  likewise  my  confidence  in  you, 
and  that  you  will  not  judge  it  to  be  any  fear  I  entertain  of  the 
security  of  your  persons.  Believe  me,  I  have  not  the  least 
shadow  of  doubt  in  my  mind  of  the  gentlemen's  fidelity ;  my 
only  motive  is  to  prevent  the  bad  effects,  which  it  appears  to 
me  would  arise,  and  make  the  gentlemen  more  unhappy. 

"  You  are  not  so  unthinking  as  to  know,  snould  those  evil- 
minded  persons  transmit  to  the  Board  another  libel,  to  come  to 
hand  before  Colonel  Gilpin  gets  down,  it  might  in  a  great  mea- 
sure prevent  his  succeeding. 

"  I  leave  this  to  your  own  consideration,  and  hope  you  will 
judge  wisely  with  him, 

"  Who  is  sincerely  your  friend,  and 

"  Most  humble  servant, 

"  Joseph  Holmes. 

"  To  Miers  Fisher,  Esq." 

John  Hough  wrote  us,  that  George  Gilpin  had  called  at  his 
house  on  his  way  home,  who  informed  him  that  we  were 
allowed  to  remain  at  Winchester  till  Congress  would  decide 
on  our  memorial. 

George  Gilpin  agreed  to  come  to  John  Hough's  on  2d  day. 


RESIDENCE  AT  WINCHESTER. 


203 


as  he  designed  lo  get  Colonel  Peyton  to  accompany  them  to 
Congress.  We  answered  John  Hough's  letter  by  the  return  of 
his  son,  and  enclosed  one  from  John  Magill,  Esq.,  to  S.  Flarvie, 
and  one  from  Colonel  Wood  to  another  delegate  in  Congress. 

22d.  Fifth  day  of  the  week. — A  clear  cold  day  ;  about  eleven 
o'clock  Colonel  Kennedy  came  to  ask  us  how  many  wagons 
would  be  necessary  to  remove  us  to  Staunton,  as  he  thought 
he  must  execute  the  orders  of  the  Governor  of  Virginia,  to 
obey  those  of  the  Board  of  Wai". 

We  endeavoured  to  convince  him  that  the  orders  from  the 
Governor  could  only  be  conditional ;  that  when  we  were  re- 
moved he  was  to  furnish  the  means  of  conveyance  to  Joseph 
Holmes,  the  Commissary. 

We  stated  that  the  Commissary  had  acquainted  the  Board 
with  our  memorial  to  Congress,  and  of  his  having  deferred  to 
execute  the  order  till  an  answer  was  returned. 

We  remarked  that  we  believed  there  were  but  few  persons 
in  Winchester  who  entertained  any  prejudice  against  us,  but  if 
there  were  any  and  we  could  know  it  and  the  cause,  we  would 
be  glad  of  an  opportunity  to  remove  it,  and  to  correct  or  ex- 
plain any  part  of  our  conduct  which  had  been  objectionable  to 
them. 

He  said  he  knew  nothing,  but  that  some  millers  had  lately 
refused  to  grind  rye  and  other  grain  for  the  distillers,  which 
they  thought  was  owing  to  our  advice  and  influence. 

We  told  him  we  understood  it  to  be  by  the  advice  of  our 
Society  to  its  members,  and  not  by  us. 

He  acknowledged  that  caution  was  necessary,  but  it  ought 
to  be  done  by  the  Legislature,  and  not  by  private  persons. 
He  said  he  disapproved  so  much  of  the  practice  of  distilling 
spirit  from  grain,  that  he  and  some  others  designed  to  apply  to 
the  Legislature  for  a  law  to  prohibit  it. 

25th.  First  day  of  the  week. — Our  meeting  held  as  usual  in 
the  morning  and  in  the  afternoon,  when  John  Hunt  made  some 
encouraging  remarks  to  us. 

William  Matthews,  from  Yorktown,  informed  us  that  he  had 


204 


EXILES  FROM  PENNSYLVANIA. 


left  Yorktovvn  on  5th  day,  26th,  when  several  of  the  committee 
from  Pipe  Creek  had  laid  before  a  committee  of  Congress,  the 
sufferings  of  the  exiles.  Several  of  the  delegates  were  favoura- 
bly disposed,  but  others  were  sworn  against  us,  having  strong 
prejudices  against  the  Society.  No  particular  cause  was 
argued  for  our  unjust  banishment,  nor  any  complaint  against 
any  part  of  our  conduct  here. 

William  Mattliews  brought  the  following  order  from  the 
new  Board  of  War,  which  we  showed  to  Colonel  Kennedy, 
when  he  came  to  see  us  on  the  arrival  of  the  mail  from  Balti- 
more. 

"  War  Office,  21st  January,  1778. 

"  Sir,— 

"  As  the  prisoners  sent  from  Pennsylvania  have  sent  a  me- 
morial to  Congress,  which  lays  before  them  undetermined,  I 
am  to  direct  you  to  suspend  the  removal  of  those  gentlemen  to 
Staunton,  until  you  receive  the  further  directions  of  this  Board. 
"  I  am,  with  due  respect, 

"  Horatio  Gates, 

"  President. 

"  To  the  County  Lieutenant  of  Frederick,  or  Deputy  Com- 
missary General  of  prisoners,  of  Winchester,  Virginia,  sent  to 
the  Honourable  John  Harvie." 

31st. — This  morning  the  celebrated  Colonel  Jacob  Morgan, 
lately  returned  from  the  American  camp,  on  a  visit  to  his 
family,  residing  about  fifteen  miles  from  Winchester,  came  to 
see  us. 

After  some  conversation  we  found  him  more  free  and  sociable 
in  his  expressions  than  we  expected.  We  gave  him  one  of  the 
pamphlets  containing  the  narrative  of  our  case  until  we  were 
sent  out  of  Philadelphia. 

We  conversed  on  this  and  other  subjects  afTably.  He  ap- 
peared impartial  and  disposed  to  hear,  by  which  means  some 
objections  which  he  made  to  our  conduct  were  answered,  and 


RESIDENCE  AT  WINCHESTER. 


205 


the  unfavourable  prepossessions  which  he  had  received  con- 
cerning Friends  arising  fronn  wrong  reports,  obviated. 

He  acknowledged  ive  had  been  treated  injuriously,  and  in- 
consistent it'ith  liberty  and  the  common  justice  due  to  us  and  to 
all  men,  by  being  banished  and  deprived  of  a  hearing  which  we 
had  demanded. 

1st  day  of  2d  month,  1778.  First  day  of  the  week. — Our 
meetings  both  morning  and  afternoon  small. 

2d. — Attended  the  monthly  meeting  at  Hopewell,  this  day 
the  second  of  the  week. 

John  Hunt  spoke  largely  and  prophetically,  saying  the  night 
was  far  gone  and  the  day  of  our  deliverance  was  at  hand  ;  but 
he  stated  he  should  not  have  another  public  opportunity  ivith 
friends  there  ;  he  said  distress  and  calamity  would  be  spread 
over  the  country. 

5th. — A  fine  day.  In  the  evening  Isaac  Zane  returned  from 
Yorktown.  He  gave  us  an  account  of  the  conferences  he  and 
the  friends  who  accompanied  him  had  with  the  delegates  of 
Congress.  In  these,  they  had  an  opportunity  to  correct  many 
of  the  false  reports  concerning  the  conduct  of  Friends  in  Penn- 
sylvania, which  had  occasioned  them  to  be  under  great  preju- 
dices against  our  religious  Society- 
He  also  stated  that  in  pursuance  of  their  application,  a  com- 
mittee of  three  members  was  appointed  by  Congress  to  meet 
them  on  our  particular  circumstance,  which  gave  them  an 
opportunity  for  a  candid  hearing. 

At  length  they  allowed  that  they  had  no  other  accusation 
against  us  than  the  several  epistles  of  advice  which  had  been 
published  by  the  Meeting  for  Sufferings  in  Philadelphia,  exciting 
the  members  of  our  religious  Society  to  maintain  a  conduct  con- 
sistent with  our  religious  principles. 

The  committee  urged  our  enlargement  from  exile,  or  that 
Congress  would  give  us  an  opportunity  to  be  heard  in  our  de- 
fence, which  hitherto  could  not  be  obtained. 

After  some  time,  a  resolve  of  Congress,  dated  on  the  29th, 
was  delivered  to  them,  of  which  the  following  is  a  copy 


206 


EXILES  FROM  PENNSYLVANIA. 


IN  CONGRESS. 

"29th  January,  1778. 

"  Resolved,  That  the  prisoners  now  at  Winchester,  in  the 
State  of  Virginia,  who  have  been  apprehended  by  the  govern- 
ment of  Pennsylvania,  in  consequence  of  the  resolution  of  Con- 
gress dated  28th  August,  1777,  be  discharged  from  their  con- 
finement, on  their  taking  or  subscribing  either  the  oath  or 
affirmation  of  allegiance,  as  prescribed  by  the  laws  of  Penn- 
sylvania, or  the  following  oath  or  affirmation,  at  the  option  of 
the  persons  concerned. 

"  I,  A.  B.,do  swear,  (or  affirm)  that  I  acknowledge  myself  a 
subject  of  ihe  State  of  Pennsylvania,  as  a  free  and  independent 
state,  and  that  I  will  in  all  things  demean  myself  as  a  good  and 
faithful  subject  ought  to  do." 

We  received  a  letter  from  George  Gilpin,  dated  at  York- 
town,  1st  February,  1778,  informing  us  he  came  to  that  place 
in  company  with  John  Hough,  the  day  after  the  foregoing 
resolve,  and  met  Isaac  Zane  and  four  of  our  friends,  who  had 
been  attending  to  our  business.  He  had  conversations  with 
several  members  of  Congress,  who  as  men,  wished  we  were  in 
Philadelphia  attending  to  our  families. 

7th  day  of  2d  month. — Sent  a  copy  of  the  resolve  of  Con- 
gress, and  George  Gilpin's  letter,  to  Philadelphia. 

8th  day.  First  day  of  the  week, — Our  meeting  in  the  morn- 
ing attended  by  twelve  of  the  exiles.  Wind  at  northeast,  and 
snow. 

10th  day  of  2d  month. — A  more  southerly  wind.  About 
five  o'clock,  Dr.  Thomas  Parke  and  James  Morton,  to  our 
great  joy,  and  unexpected  surprise,  came  from  Philadelphia  to 
see  us,  and  brought  us  letters. 

Our  friends  had  remained  in  anxious  solicitude  and  suspense 
on  account  of  the  orders  sent  to  remove  us  to  Staunton ;  our 
letters  since  the  orders  were  countermanded,  had  not  reached 


RESIDENCE  AT  WINCHESTER. 


207 


them ;  and  for  want  of  not  knowing  how  things  were,  these 
friends  had  to  undertake  this  long  journey,  to  come  to  see  us. 
We  spent  the  evening  in  inquiries  about  our  families,  and  ihe 
general  state  of  things  in  Philadelphia. 

12th. — A  clear  day  and  windy.  Ground  covered  with  snow. 
Doctor  Parke  and  James  Morton,  accompanied  by  John  Pem- 
berton,  and  Thomas  Gilpin,  went  to  Hopewell  meeting,  and  to 
visit  our  companions  there.  John  Pemberton  and  Thomas 
Gilpin  returned  in  the  evening. 

1.3th. — Sixth  day  of  the  week,  windy,  clear  and  cold. 
Thomas  Bates  and  William  Robinson,  of  North  Carolina, 
who  were  with  us  about  four  weeks  ago,  came  back  from  the 
Indian  country.  They  had  gone  to  within  thirty  miles  of  Pitts- 
burg, where  they  were  apprehended  by  some  of  the  magistrates 
of  Westmoreland  County,  and  the  test  of  allegiance  to  the 
States  tendered  to  them,  which  they  refusing  to  take,  were  put 
under  confinement,  and  treated  as  prisoners  near  a  month,  their 
certificates  taken  from  them,  and  treated  with  rough  language 
and  many  threats ;  but  on  the  violence  of  the  people  abating, 
they  were  discharged,  though  not  allowed  lo  proceed  on  their 
journey;  the  magistrates  withdrawing  their  warrant,  after  their 
steady  refusal  to  comply  with  their  arbitrary  demands ;  and  as 
they  were  not  permitted  to  accomplish  their  journey,  they  were 
most  easy  to  return  home.  The  people  on  the  frontiers  are  in 
commotion  from  an  apprehension  of  an  Indian  war,  some  of 
the  Indian  people  having  been  killed  in  a  very  cruel  manner  by 
the  whites. 

14th  day  of  2d  month,  1778. — Cloudy  and  snow.  Dr.  Thomas 
Parke  and  James  Morton,  spent  the  evening  with  us,  and  as 
there  appeared  a  necessity  for  their  speedy  return,  they  con- 
cluded to  set  oflf  on  2d  day  morning,  the  16th. 

15th  of  2d  month.  First  day  of  the  week. — Our  meeting 
this  morning  consisted  of  only  seven  of  us  exiles,  who  reside 
in  the  house  of  Philip  Bush,  and  three  from  Isaac  Brown's, 
with  Doctor  Parke  and  James  Morton,  (James  Pemberton's 
two  sons-in-law,)  who  came  last  week  to  visit  us,  Henry 


208 


EXILES  FROM  PENNSYLVANIA. 


Drinker,  Samuel  Pleasants,  and  Thomas  Gilpin  being  in  their 
chambers  unwell. 

16th  day  of  2d  month. — A  clear  cold  day.  After  dinner, 
about  three  o'clock.  Doctor  Thomas  Parke  and  James  Morton 
left  us,  intending  to  go  to  Lewis  Neale's  that  night.  Thomas 
Fisher,  Miers  Fisher,  and  Thomas  Affleck  accompanied  them  ; 
I  (James  Pemberton)  was  too  unwell  to  go  out.  I  thus  parted 
with  my  two  sons.  I  wrote  to  my  family,  and  sent  my  diary 
from  the  time  of  my  leaving  Reading,  the  20th  of  9th  month,  to 
the  14th  instant. 

In  the  evening,  I  had  cause  to  suspect  that  Thomas  Pike 
had  eloped,  having  left  us  this  morning  under  a  pretence  of 
going  to  Isaac  Zane's  ironworks,  and  were  informed  he  did 
not  go  there.  I  gave  my  sons  notice  to  prevent  his  imposing 
himself  upon  them  in  the  course  of  their  journey.  I  thought 
it  best  they  should  return  by  way  of  Fairfax,  as  it  was  first  in- 
tended ;  and  sent  my  servant  Richard  with  a  note  stating  that 
our  company  considered  that  Thomas  Pike  had  acted  dis- 
honourably ;  that  he  was  suspected  of  going  oflT,  and  that  Com- 
missary Holmes  would  be  informed  of  it  in  the  morning. 

17th. — In  the  afternoon.  Major  Holmes  called;  he  had  heard 
of  Thomas  Pike's  elopement.  We  told  him  all  the  circum- 
stances we  knew  of  him  ;  that  he  was  a  stranger  to  us  till  he 
was  sent  away  with  us  from  Philadelphia  ;  but  we  considered 
him  not  to  be  under  the  same  restraint  of  principle  which 
we  are. 

Major  Holmes  behaved  very  politely  to  us  on  the  occasion. 
He  took  a  memorandum  toward  forming  an  advertisement, 
and  having  to  send  an  express  to  the  Board  of  War,  he  would 
inform  Congress  of  the  suspicions  respecting  him. 

20th  day  of  2d  month. — Sixth  day  of  the  week  ;  dull,  cold 
weather.  George  Gilpin  arrived  from  Yorktown  and  Lan- 
caster, where  he  had  been  since  the  28th  of  last  month,  using 
his  endeavours  for  a  favourable  determination  of  our  memorials 
to  the  Congress  and  to  the  Council  of  Pennsylvania, — in  which 
he  was  not  successful.    He  informed  us  that  on  his  arrival  at 


RESIDENCE  AT  WINCHESTER. 


209 


York,  he  found  our  friends  had  nearly  completed  their  con- 
ference with  the  delegates,  and  that  Congress  had  entered  into 
"  the  Resolve,"  on  the  contents  of  our  memorial. 

Some  of  the  members  of  Congress  told  George  Gilpin,  that 
if  the  Council  of  Pennsylvania  would  signify  their  desire  for 
our  discharge,  they  believed  Congress  would  agree  to  it.  It  was 
accomplished  in  this  way,  as  it  will  hereafter  appear. 

George  Gilpin  very  prudently  did  not  make  himself  known 
to  the  President,  and  but  few  of  the  people,  and  returned  to  us, 
after  having  been  detained  at  the  crossing  of  the  Susquehanna 
eight  days  by  the  ice. 

23d. — A  message  was  sent  us  from  E.  Jolifle's,  that  our 
friend  John  Hunt,  who  had  been  confined  to  his  bed  for  several 
days,  was  much  worse ;  being  suddenly  seized  with  a  pain  in 
his  leg  which  had  rendered  it  entirely  useless,  and  greatly 
alarmed  the  family. 

28th. — James  Pemberton  returned  from  Thomas  Brown's, 
and  found  our  friend  Thomas  Gilpin  in  a  very  unfavourable 
way;  reduced  by  much  weakness,  though  not  attended  by  pain 
or  a  high  fever.  His  three  brothers,  Thomas  Fisher,  Samuel 
R.  Fisher,  and  Miers  Fisher,  attend  him  with  great  care  and 
affection. 

Winchester,  1st  day  of  3d  month,  1778.  First  day  of  the 
week. — Our  meeting  this  morning  was  small,  six  of  us  only 
attending.  In  the  afternoon,  with  our  friends  Isaac  Everett 
and  William  Penrose,  from  York  County,  Pennsylvania,  we 
had  about  thirty  persons,  the  largest  meeting  we  have  had  for 
a  considerable  time. 

2d. — About  half-past  twelve  o'clock,  2d  day  of  3d  month, 
1778,  our  fellow-sunerer,  Thomas  Gilpin,  was  taken  out  of  this 
transitory  life.  He  had  been  in  a  low  state  for  several  days, 
and  had  borne  his  previous  sickness  with  great  patience,  as  he 
had  borne  his  unreasonable  exile,  and  cruel  separation  from  his 
wife  and  fainily. 

Having  been  blessed  with  a  mild  disposition,  and  good 
mental  qualifications,  his  intercourse  with  us  has  been  always 

14 


210 


EXILES  FROM  PENNSYLVANIA. 


Steady  and  amiable,  so  that  he  has  been  apparently  contented 
since  our  confinement.  He  has  borne  his  affliction  with  great 
stability  and  fortitude,  and  was  sustained  through  his  illness 
with  great  composure  of  mind.  He  was  blessed  with  his  un- 
derstanding to  the  last,  and  sensible  of  his  approaching  end, 
which  he  expressed  to  his  brothers,  who  affectionately  attended 
him.  He  had  been  ill  with  a  fever,  the  consequence  of  a  severe 
cold,  which  he  had  caught  by  exposure  about  two  weeks 
before. 


AN  ACCOUNT  OF  THE  ILLNESS  AND  DECEASE  OF  THOMAS  GILPIN,  OF 
PHILADELPHIA,  AT  WINCHESTER,  VIRGINIA. 
From  the  Journal  of  Israel  Pemberton. 

The  case  of  our  friend,  Thomas  Gilpin,  has  been  painful  to 
<us  all. 

By  exposing  himself  after  our  meeting,  on  the  6th  day  of 
the  2d  month,  1778,  in  the  meadow,  about  a  mile  from  Win- 
chester, he  took  a  violent  cold,  but  after  taking  some  medicine, 
he  appeared  to  be  as  well  as  usual. 

On  the  12th,  he  went  with  our  friend  John  Pemberton,  Doc- 
tor Parke,  and  James  Morton,  to  Hopewell  meeting,  and  on 
returning  home,  he  was  indisposed,  and  went  early  to  bed. 

On  first  day,  the  15th,  at  his  request,  Doctor  Parke  bled 
him,  but  this  did  not  afford  him  relief. 

On  third  day  he  seemed  worse,  his  fever  having  increased, 
and  Doctor  Parke  having  gone  to  Philadelphia,  he  was  attended 
to  by  Doctor  Macky ;  and  after  taking  some  diluting  drinks, 
we  considered  him  better. 

On  the  19th,  his  brother  George  Gilpin  returned  to  Win- 
chester, from  Yorktown,  where  he  had  been  to  Congress,  and 
to  the  Executive  Council  of  Pennsylvania,  on  our  account;  he 
then  appeared  better,  and  we  were  without  any  apprehension 
of  danger;  so  that  his  brother  George  Gilpin  left  him  on  the 
20ih,  to  go  to  his  own  family  at  Alexandria. 


RESIDENCE  AT  WINCHESTER. 


211 


But  on  the  seventh  day  of  the  week,  the  21st,  he  grew  much 
weaker,  and  could  bear  hut  little  conversation  ;  from  that  time 
till  the  23d,  he  began  to  be  ill,  and  we  apprehended  he  was  in 
danger. 

On  the  26th  and  27th  he  had  less  fever,  but  his  weakness  in- 
creased till  the  first  of  the  3d  month,  when  he  was  evidently  so 
very  ill  that  we  apprehended  his  approaching  dissolution. 

About  10  o'clock  at  night,  a  rough  draft  of  his  will  had  been 
brought  to  him,  in  which  it  was  said  that  "  he  with  a  number  of 
others,  had  been  unjustly  banished  ;"  but  he  desired  that  such 
an  expression  should  not  be  continued  in  it,  as  it  would  cast  a 
reflection  on  persons  who  had  caused  it.  And  after  this,  I  took 
leave  of  him,  when  he  was  quite  sensible  and  composed,  and 
he  told  me  he  had  nothing  upon  his  mind. 

In  about  half  an  hour,  he  desired  his  wife's  brothers  to  re- 
member his  dear  love  to  his  wife  and  children.  Soon  after 
this,  the  young  woman  who  attended  us,  sat  by  him,  and  he 
said,  "  Katy,  I  am  going  the  way  of  all  flesh,  and  I  hope  it  is 
in  mercy  ;  thou  hast  been  a  good  girl,  and  my  brothers  will 
reward  thee  ;"  and  after  a  short  interval,  he  said,  "  There  are 
many  religions  in  the  world,  and  a  variety  of  forms,  which 
have  occasioned  great  persecutions,  and  the  loss  of  many  lives, 
each  contending  that  they  are  right;  but  there  is  but  one  true 
religion,  arising  from  faith  in  God,  and  in  his  son  Jesus  Christ, 
and  hope  in  his  mercy.  A  monitor  placed  in  every  mind, 
which  if  we  attend  to,  we  cannot  err."  He  repeatedly  expressed 
a  wish  that  this  monitor  was  attended  to.  He  several  times 
desired  those  about  him  to  be  very  still,  as  he  hoped  he  should 
also  be;  after  which  he  said  very  little,  his  breath  grew  shorter, 
and  without  sigh  or  groan,  or  any  sensible  emotion,  he  quietly 
departed  at  half  an  hour  after  midnight. 

He  was  interred  in  Friends'  burial  ground  at  Hopewell,  in 
Fairfax  County,  near  Winchester,  Virginia,  on  the  third  day 
of  the  week,  the  third  day  of  the  third  month,  1778,  attended  by 
a  considerable  number  of  Friends,  and  a  few  others,  although 
the  season  was  very  severe,  and  the  notice  not  so  general  as 
was  intended. 


212 


EXILES  FROM  PENNSYLVANIA. 


After  the  interment,  we  had  a  good  meeting  at  Hopewell,  in 
which  our  friends  Joshua  Brown  and  Isaac  Everett  had  an 
acceptable  testimony;  the  latter  in  fervent  supplications,  which 
I  believe  ascended  with  acceptance  to  the  throne  of  grace,  and 
in  which  our  distant  friends  are  remembered,  who  are  com- 
panions in  our  afflictions. 

Thus,  one  of  us  is  happily  released  from  the  power  of  our 
oppressors ;  and  as  our  landlady  observed,  "  He  died  like  a 
Christian,"  which  I  believe  may  be  truly  said  of  him. 

I  had  but  little  acquaintance  with  him  before  our  being  con- 
fined together;  but  his  conduct  recommended  him  much  lo  my 
esteem. 

He  was  steady  in  maintaining  his  own  sentiments,  but  with 
due  care  to  give  no  cause  of  oflfence  to  others.  His  principles 
were  liberal,  free  from  bigotry  to  any  party  :  thus  he  could  dis- 
cover that  which  was  laudable  or  culpable  in  either.  He  sup- 
ported his  opinion,  but  without  severity;  and  never  expressed 
one  murmur  or  complaint  on  our  unjust  suffering  during  his 
illness. 

Israel  Pemberton. 

Winchester,  3d  month,  1776. 


Winchester,  2d  day  of  the  3d  month,  1778.  Second  day  of 
the  week. — Very  cold  and  clear.  We  hear  that  John  Hunt  is 
much  the  same  as  for  a  day  or  two  past.  Henry  Drinker  and 
Samuel  Pleasants  came  down  stairs,  and  are  recovering. 
Doctor  Macky  says  that  the  town  of  Winchester  has  never 
been  so  sickly  before. 

3d.  Third  day  of  the  week. — A  dull  morning,  the  wind  from 
the  north,  cold.  This  day  being  appointed  for  the  interment  of 
our  fellow-exile,  Thomas  Gilpin,  and  the  arrangements  being 
made,  the  company  set  off  from  the  house  of  Philip  Bush, 
Winchester,  about  ten  o'clock,  several  persons  from  the  neigh- 
bourhood, and  some  town  people  attending.  The  snow  being 
deep,  and  the  roads  much  unbeaten,  we  did  not  reach  Hope- 
well meeting  (six  miles,)  until  near  one  o'clock,  where  there 
were  many  other  Friends  assembled.  After  the  interment  we 


RESIDENCE  AT  WINCHESTER. 


213 


had  a  satisfactory  sitting  at  tire  meeting-house,  and  returned  to 
Winchester. 

8th  day  of  the  3d  month,  and  tlie  first  day  of  the  week. — 
Eight  of  our  company  attended  our  meeting  at  the  house  of 
PhiHp  Bush  ;  meeting  silent. 

12th. — Went  out  to  David  Brown's,  but  returned  to  Hope- 
well, where  we  received  an  unfavourable  account  of  John 
Hunt;  a  mortification  had  begun  in  his  leg,  and  made  such 
progress  that  an  amputation  of  his  limb  was  the  only  means  of 
arresting  it.    John  Pemberton  went  immediately  to  visit  him. 

15th  day  of  3d  month.  First  day  of  the  week. — Six  of  us, 
lodgers  at  Philip  Bush's,  made  up  the  meeting.  Miers  Fisher 
confined  to  his  chamber  unwell. 

John  Hunt  had  been  visited  at  Hopewell  by  our  friend  John 
Pemberton,  and  his  case  was  so  precarious  that  it  was  con- 
cluded to  send  for  Doctor  General  Stephens,  an  old  and  ex- 
perienced physician  and  surgeon,  for  his  opinion  and  judgment. 
William  Smith  had  rode  all  night  on  7th  day,  to  invite  him  to 
come  ;  he  living  twenty  miles  from  Plopewell. 

On  the  meeting  of  Drs.  Macky  and  Stephens,  they  came  to 
a  conclusion  that  an  amputation  was  the  only  expedient  to 
save  the  patient's  life  ;  which,  when  communicated  to  John 
Hunt,  he  received  the  information  with  a  composed  mind.  He 
agreed  the  operation  should  be  performed,  and  they  fixed  upon 
the  next  day  for  the  purpose. 

16th. — We  had  concluded  for  some  time  to  remove  our 
quarters  from  Philip  Bush's ;  divers  reasons  concurring  to 
render  it  expedient.  The  persons  who  have  sent  us  here 
having  tahen  no  pains  to  provide  a  place  for  our  residence,  or 
any  sup-port  for  us,  we  are  under  the  necessity  of  seeking  out  a 
suitable  one  for  ourselves ;  and  our  friend  David  Brown,  who 
lives  about  five  miles  southward  of  Winchester,  having  agreed 
to  accommodate  us,  my  brothers,  Israel  Pemberton,  John  Pem- 
berton, and  myself,  Henry  Drinker,  and  Samuel  Pleasants, 
concluded  to  go  there.  Our  friends,  David  Brown  and  Sarah 
his  wife,  had  prepared  the  house  to  receive  us,  and  we  took  a 
friendly  leave  of  our  landlord,  Philip  Bush,  and  his  wife. 


214 


EXILES  FROM  PENNSYLVANIA. 


My  brother  John  Pemberton  informs  me,  that  Edward  Pen- 
nington continues  very  poorly,  and  as  Miers  Fisher  has  been 
unwell  for  several  days,  he  and  his  brothers,  Thomas  Fisher 
and  Samuel  R.  Fisher,  have  been  prevented  from  removing  to 
Lewis  Neale's,  as  intended. 

22d. — This  morning  the  physicians  having  concluded  that 
an  amputation  was  the  only  means  by  which  the  life  of  our 
friend  John  Hunt  could  be  preserved,  it  was  communicated  to 
him,  and  he  became  resigned  to  it. 

He  was  enabled  to  endure  the  operation  with  fortitude  and 
composure,  so  that  the  surgeon  observed  to  him  when  he  had 
finished  and  dressed  the  wound,  "  Sir,  you  have  behaved  like  a 
hero !"  to  which  he  mildly  replied,  "  I  have  endeavoured  to 
bear  it  like  a  Christian."  The  physicians  continued  to  attend 
him  with  care,  and  had  for  some  days  hopes  of  his  recovery, 
as  for  some  time  afterwards  he  appeared  lively. 

31st  day  of  3d  month. — Clear,  cold,  windy.  In  the  after- 
noon we  received  from  Samuel  Pleasants,  who  had  been  at 
Winchester,  the  following  extract  of  a  letter,  from  John  Harvie, 
a  delegate  in  Congress,  to  John  Magiil,  Esquire,  at  Winchester, 
dated  at  Yorktown  a  few  days  past. 

"  Congress  have  ordered  the  Board  of  War  to  deliver  the  gen- 
tlemen of  Philadelphia,  now  prisoners  at  Winchester,  to  the 
order  of  the  State  of  Pennsylvania,  which  means  shortly  to 
send  for  them  and  bring  them  to  trial  on  the  charge  formerly 
established." 

Which  John  Magiil  delivered  with  the  letter,  that  we  might 
be  informed  fully  of  the  contents  of  it. 

First  day  of  4th  month,  1778,  fourth  day  of  the  week. — A 
very  spring-like  morning. 

I  went  over  alone  to  Hopewell,  having  been  for  some  days 
desirous  to  see  our  afflicted  friend,  John  Hunt,  and  was  in- 
formed there,  he  was  released  from  the  afflictions  and  troubles 
of  this  life  at  about  10  o'clock,  on  the  31st  of  3d  month,  and 
when  I  reached  Eliza  Joliffe's,  my  fellow-exiles  residing  there 
had  agreed  upon  his  interment  to  be  to-morrow  morning,  and 
Charles  Eddy  had  gone  to  inform  us  of  it. 


RESIDENCE  AT  WINCHESTER. 


215 


Edward  Pennington  is  very  unwell,  but  as  his  disorder  has 
reached  his  feet,  he  may  soon  recover. 

James  Pemberton  states  that  he  had  received  the  following 
particulars  respecting  the  decease  of  our  worthy  friend,  John 
Hunt. 

He  bore  his  heavy  trial  with  great  patience  and  Christian 
resignation,  which  conveyed  instruction  to  all  who  were  with 
him  ;  he  was  cheerful  though  silent,  and  after  as  well  as  be- 
fore the  operation,  slept  and  eat  sufficiently.  His  having  laid 
so  long  in  one  position  was  tiresome  and  painful.  He  bore  the 
dressing  of  the  wound  well;  yet  in  about  a  week  he  declined. 
Something  of  a  paralytic  affection  attended  him,  and  his  speech 
faltered  as  he  grew  weaker.  He  remained  in  a  very  composed 
state  of  mind,  and  expressed  no  apprehensions  concerning  him- 
self, and  he  departed  this  life  very  easily,  on  the  31st  day  of 
3d  month,  at  about  10  o'clock  in  the  evening. 

Second  of  4th  month  ;  fifth  day  of  the  week. — I  set  off  before 
eight  o'clock,  with  my  brother  John  Pemberton  and  A.  M'Coy, 
for  Hopewell,  to  attend  the  interment  of  our  dear  friend,  John 
Hunt.  Rain  fell  until  we  reached  Winchester,  but  not  after- 
wards. 

We  reached  E.  JolifTe's,  and  the  company,  which  was  large 
and  consisted  of  Friends  and  others,  started  at  10  o'clock. 
After  the  interment  in  the  grave-yard  near  the  meeting-house, 
the  company  retired  into  it,  and  we  had  a  very  satisfactory 
meeting. 

Thus  the  last  act  of  respect  and  love  was  solemnly  paid  to 
the  remains  of  a  dignified  minister  of  the  Gospel,  whose  gift 
was  eminent,  and  he  had  laboured  in  it  forty  years.  His  de- 
livery was  clear  and  intelligible,  and  his  doctrine  sound  and 
edifying.  He  was  often  favoured  with  great  power  and  de- 
monstration, singularly  manifested  in  our  meetings  for  worship 
we  had  during  the  time  of  our  exile  at  Winchester.  And  he 
expressed  himself  much  concerned  that  the  inhabitants  should 
come  to  a  knowledge  of  the  truth,  and  a  due  feeling  for  their 


•216 


EXILES  FROM  PENNSYLVANIA. 


own  eternal  welfare ;  and  although  but  few  of  them  knew  us, 
yet  they  were  desirous  to  attend  our  meetings. 

Being  a  man  possessing  a  clear  judgment  and  strong  natural 
abilities,  improved  by  long  religious  experience,  he  was  a  use- 
ful member  of  our  religious  Society  ;  careful  for  the  support  of 
our  discipline,  and  spoke  often  pertinently  to  matters  under 
consideration. 

He  was  in  the  67ih  year  of  his  age ;  strong  constitution ; 
low  in  stature;  but  favoured  through  life  with  general  good 
health. 

Fifth  day  of  4th  month,  first  day  of  the  week. — I  went  with 
my  brother,  Israel  Pemberlon,  and  Samuel  Pleasants,  to  the 
Centre  Meeting. 

10th. — Joseph  Holmes  informs  us  he  meant  to  go  to  York- 
town,  to  visit  Congress ;  and  Thomas  Affleck  being  much 
afflicted  by  the  news  of  the  illness  of  his  wife  and  children  in 
Philadelphia,  is  very  desirous  to  go  with  him,  in  order  to  apply 
to  Congress  for  liberty  to  visit  them. 

15th. — In  the  afternoon,  J.  Musser  came  as  express,  to  bring 
a  letter  from  J.  Webbs,  Lancaster,  dated  the  12th,  to  inform  us 
that  four  of  our  near  relatives  and  wives,  Phebe  Pemberton, 
Mary  Pleasants,  Susanna  Jones,  and  Eliza  Drinker,  had  come 
up  there  a  few  days  before  to  use  their  endeavours  to  obtain 
justice  from  our  persecutors,  and  a  release  from  our  unmerited 
banishment. 

They  write  us  that  two  persons,  authorized  by  the  President 
and  Council  of  Pennsylvania,  set  out  the  day  before  to  take 
charge  of  us,  in  pursuance  of  a  resolve  of  Congress  to  the 
Board  of  War,  to  deliver  us  over  to  the  President  and  Council; 
and  by  a  letter  to  James  Pemberton  from  Charles  Thomson, 
Secretary  to  Congress,  now  received,  dated  the  7th  inst.,  I 
have  a  copy  of  the  resolve,  as  follows,  to  wit: 

"  In  Congress,  16th  of  March,  1778. 

"  Resolved,  That  the  Board  of  War  be  directed  to  deliver 


RESIDENCE  AT  WINCHESTER. 


217 


over  to  the  President  and  Council  of  Pennsylvania,  the  prisoners 
sent  from  that  State  to  Virginia. 

"  Extract  from  the  minutes, 

"  Charles  Thomson, 

"  Secretary." 

And  by  a  letter  dated  18th,  a  copy  of  the  resolve  of  the 
Board  of  War  came  to  my  brother,  Israel  Pemberton,  to  wit : 

"  Yorktown,  8th  April,  1778. 

«  Sir,— 

"  You  are  hereby  directed  and  authorized  to  deliver  over  to 
the  order  of  the  President  and  Council  of  Pennsylvania,  all  the 
prisoners  of  that  State  now  under  your  care. 

"  Horatio  Gates, 

"  President. 

*'  To  Joseph  Holmes,  Esq., 

"  Deputy  Commissary  of  Prisoners  at  Winchester." 

Also  the  following  subjoined: 

"  Yorktown,  8th  April,  1778. 

"  Sir,— 

"  By  order  of  Congress,  we  enclose  you  our  directions  to 
Joseph  Holmes,  Esq.,  Deputy  Commissary  of  Prisoners  at  Win- 
chester, to  deliver  over  to  the  President  and  Council  of  Penn- 
sylvania, or  their  order,  all  persons  under  his  care  belonging  to 
that  Slate.  The  orders  of  Congress,  which  are  also  enclosed, 
are  dated  26th  of  March,  1778;  and  would  have  been  imme- 
diately attended  to,  had  not  the  Board  expected  an  application 
from  the  President  and  Council  for  the  delivery  of  the  pi'isoners 
to  some  person  authorized  to  receive  them. 
"  I  am,  sir,  your  most  obedient  servant, 

"  Horatio  Gates, 

"  President. 

"  To  his  Excellency,  the  President  and  Council  of  Pennsyl- 
vania." 


218 


EXILES  FROM  PENNSYLVANIA. 


The  transaction  of  this  business  relating  to  our  releasement, 
manifests  great  inattention,  whether  designed  or  accidental  we 
leave — but  we  had  reason  to  conclude  that  James  Pemberton's 
letter  of  the  31st  ultimo,  to  Charles  Thomson,  informing  him 
of  the  intelligence  we  had  received  of  the  orders  of  Congress, 
and  requesting  a  copy  to  be  sent  us,  produced  an  early  deter- 
mination on  our  case. 

We  are  at  a  loss  to  conjecture  from  what  culpable  motion 
an  influence  was  exerted  in  the  Council  of  Pennsylvania,  to 
continue  us  in  confinement  at  Winchester — many  of  us  very 
unwell  and  suffering  in  body  and  in  mind  after  the  loss  of  two 
of  our  companions  by  death.  After  the  time  of  the  resolve  of 
Congress,  of  the  16th  March,  1778,  to  liberate  us,  to  the  time 
our  situation  icas  forced  upon  the  Council  of  Pennsylvania,  by 
the  resolution  of  the  Board  of  War,  dated  8th  of  April,  the 
long  time  of  twenty-three  days  passed  when  the  order  to  Joseph 
Holmes,  Esq.,  commissary  of  the  prisoners,  became  absolute. 

It  appears  that  the  order  of  the  Board  of  War  was  imme- 
diately sent  forward  to  the  Council  at  Lancaster,  which  came 
to  the  resolve  to  send  us  two  messengers  to  escort  us  to  Ship- 
pensburg,  and  thus  to  discharge  us. 

The  resolution  of  the  Executive  Council  of  Pennsylvania  is 
as  follows,  viz.  : 


"IN  COUNCIL. 

"  Lancaster,  April  8tl),  1776. 

"  The  resolve  of  the  Congress  of  16th  March  last,  '  That  the 
Board  of  War  be  directed  to  deliver  over  to  the  order  of  the 
President  and  Council  of  Pennsylvania,  the  prisoners  sent  from 
this  State  to  Virginia,'  being  now  read,  and  the  law  for  the 
further  security  of  the  government  taken  into  consideration,  as 
far  as  affects  the  said  prisoners, 


RESIDENCE  AT  WINCHESTER. 


219 


"  Thereupon  ordered,  That  the  said  prisoners,  to  wit: 


Israel  Pemherton, 
John  Pemherton, 
John  Hunt, 
Thomas  Wharton, 
James  Pemherton, 
Edward  Pennington, 
Henry  Drinker, 
Thomas  Fisher, 
Charles  Eddy, 
Elijah  Brown, 


Thomas  Gilpin, 
Samuel  R.  Fisher, 
Samuel  Pleasants, 
Owen  Jones,  Jr., 
Charles  Jervis, 
Miers  Fisher, 
Thomas  Affleck, 
William  Smith, 
William  Drewet  Smith, 


be  brought  to  Shippensburg,  and  there  enlarged. 

"  That  they  be  informed  of  the  law  passed  fur  the  security 
of  the  government,  by  giving  to  Mr.  Israel  Pemherton  or  some 
one  of  the  prisoners,  a  printed  copy  of  the  said  law  for  the  in- 
spection of  the  whole.    [See  page  225.] 

"  That  Mr.  Francis  Y.  Baily  and  Captain  Lang,  be  appointed 
to  apply  to  the  Board  of  War  to  receive  from  them  an  order 
for  the  delivery  of  the  prisoners  sent  from  this  state  to  Virginia, 
and  that  the  Board  of  War  be  requested  to  give  orders  for  such 
assistance  in  procuring  wagons  to  bring  the  prisoners  on  to 
this  state  as  may  be  necessary.  That  the  said  Francis  Y. 
Baily  and  Captain  Lang  receive  and  conduct  the  said  prisoners 
to  Shippensburg,  in  this  state,  and  there  set  them  at  liberty;  and 
that  on  their  journey  they  may  be  treated  with  the  respect  due 
to  their  characters. 

"  Ordered,  That  the  Lieutenants  of  the  counties  through 
which  the  aforesaid  prisoners  may  pass,  give  the  necessary 
assistance  to  Mr.  Baily  and  Captain  Lang,  by  furnishing 
wagons  and  other  assistance  they  will  be  in  need  of. 

"Extracts  from  the  minutes, 

"  T.  Matlack, 

"  Secretary." 

It  will  be  observed  on  comparing  the  list,  that  the  prisoners 


220 


EXILES  FROM  PENNSYLVANIA. 


to  be  brought  back  into  Pennsylvania,  are  mentioned  to  be 
the  same  as  those  sent  into  banishment,  with  the  exception  of 
Thomas  Pike,  who  had  left  the  company. 

But  it  was  well  known  in  Pennsylvania  that  two  of  the  com- 
pany had  died,  owing  to  some  of  the  causes  connected  with 
their  situation,  and  the  anxieties  which  had  from  time  to  time 
affected  them ;  and  yet — Could  it  have  been  unknown  to  the 
Council  of  Pennsylvania,  or  could  they  have  so  disregarded 
the  feelings  of  society,  as  to  place  the  names  of  two  highly 
esteemed  individuals,  who  died  in  Virginia  during  their  long 
and  unmerited  banishment,  in  the  list  of  those  liberated  to  return 
home  to  their  families! ! 

These  had  been  previously  liberated  from  the  hand  of  the 
oppressor : 

Thomas  Gilpin  died  on  the  2d  of  the  third  month,  1778. 
John  Hunt  died  on  the  31st  of  the  third  month,  1778. 

It  is  far  more  than  probable  that  the  general  sympathy  ex- 
isting on  the  occasion,  called  for  this  act  of  restitution  as  a 
compromise  respecting  the  remaining  sufferers. 

The  following  is  a  copy  of  the  orders  given  by  the  President 
and  Council  of  Pennsylvania,  to  Captain  James  Lang  and 
Francis  Y.  Baily,  Esq.,  relative  to  their  conduct  to  the  prisoners 
on  their  route  from  Winchester,  Virginia,  to  Pennsylvania. 

"IN  COUNCIL. 

"  Lancaster,  April  10th,  1778. 

"  Gentlemen, — 

"  The  enclosed  resolves  of  the  Council  will  show  that  you 
are  appointed  and  authorized  to  conduct  the  prisoners  sent  from 
this  state  to  Virginia,  from  Winchester,  the  place  of  their  pre- 
sent confinement. 

"  It  is  reported  that  several  of  those  gentlemen  are  in  a  bad 
state  of  health,  and  unfit  to  travel ;  if  you  find  this  to  be  the 
case,  they  must  be  left  where  they  are  for  the  present.  Those 


RESIDENCE  AT  WINCHESTER. 


221 


of  them  who  are  in  health,  you  are  to  bring  with  you,  treating 
them  on  the  road  with  that  polite  attention  and  care  which  is 
due  from  men  who  act  on  the  purest  motives,  to  gentlemen 
whose  stations  in  life  entitle  them  to  respect,  however  they  may 
difl'er  in  political  sentiments  from  those  in  whose  power  they 
are.  You  will  please  to  give  them  every  aid  in  your  power 
by  procuring  the  necessary  means  of  travelling,  in  wagons  or 
otherwise,  with  such  baggage  as  may  be  convenient  for  them 
on  the  road. 

"  Enclosed  is  an  order  of  the  Board  of  War  to  Joseph 
Holmes,  Esq.,  to  deliver  over  those  gentlemen  to  the  order  of 
the  Council  and  for  the  delivery  being  made  to  you. 

"  Perhaps  it  may  be  convenient  to  divide  those  gentlemen 
into  two  companies,  for  their  better  accommodation  on  the 
road;  in  this  respect  you  may  consult  the  inclination  and 
choice  of  the  gentlemen  themselves.  Your  own  prudence  and 
good  sense  will  direct  you  in  such  incidents  as  may  turn  up,  in 
which  the  Council  have  no  doubt  but  that  your  conduct  will 
justify  their  confidence  in  you. 

"  I  am,  gentlemen,  with  much  respect, 
*'  Your  very  humble  servant, 

"  Thomas  Wharton,  Jr. 

"  To  Francis  Y.  Baily  and 

Captain  James  Lang." 

It  is  proper  to  remark  that  this  letter  was  the  last  official  act 
of  Thomas  Wharton  relative  to  the  prisoners.  He  died  at  Lan- 
caster, 23d  of  May,  1778. 

Four  of  the  female  relations,  to  wit,  Mary  Pleasants,  Su- 
sanna Jones,  Eliza  Drinker,  and  Phebe  Pemberton,  came  out 
of  Philadelphia,  and  passed  the  English  and  American  lines,  to 
visit  General  Washington  at  his  camp  at  Valley  Forge,  about 
the  fourth  of  April,  in  order  to  procure  permission  to  send  pro- 
visions to  their  friends,  and  to  meet  them  on  their  way  home. 
They  had  written  previously  to  General  Washington  the  fol- 


222 


EXILES  FROM  PENNSYLVANIA. 


lowing  letter.  This  letter  and  visit  produced  the  following  letters 
from  him  to  Governor  Thomas  Wharton,  jun. 

"  Philadelphia,  31st  of  the  3d  month,  1778. 

"  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

"  Esteemed  Friend, — 

"  The  pressing  necessity  of  an  application  to  thee,  when  per- 
haps thy  other  engagements  of  importance  may  by  it  be  inter- 
rupted, I  hope  will  plead  my  excuse.  It  is  on  behalf  of  myself 
and  the  rest  of  the  suffering  and  afflicted  parents,  wives,  and 
near  connexions  of  our  beloved  husbands,  now  in  banishment 
at  Winchester.  What  adds  to  our  distress  in  this  sorrowful 
circumstance  is  the  account  we  have  lately  received  of  the 
removal  of  one  of  them  by  death,  and  that  divers  of  them  are 
much  indisposed  ;  and  as  we  find  they  are  in  want  of  necessaries 
proper  for  sick  people,  we  desire  the  favour  of  General  Wash- 
ington to  grant  a  protection  for  one  or  more  wagons,  and  for 
the  persons  we  may  employ  to  go  with  them,  in  order  that  they 
may  be  accommodated  vvith  what  is  suitable,  for  which  we 
shall  be  much  obliged. 

"  Signed,  on  behalf  of  the  whole, 

"  Mary  Pemberton." 

"  Headquarters,  Valley  Forge,  5th  April,  1778. 
"  TO  HIS  EXCELLENCY  GOVERNOR  WHARTON. 

"  Sir,— 

"  I  take  the  liberty  to  enclose  you  a  letter  from  Mrs.  Mary 
Pemberton,  requesting  a  passport  for  some  wagons  to  be  sent 
out  with  articles  for  the  use  of  her  husband  and  others  now  in 
confinement ;  as  the  persons  concerned  are  prisoners  of  the 
State,  I  did  not  think  proper  to  comply  with  her  request. 

*'  I  have  assured  her  I  would  transmit  the  letter  to  you,  and 
did  not  doubt  but  that  the  application  would  meet  your  early 
concurrence. 


RESIDENCE  AT  WINCHESTER.  223 

"  If  you  will  be  pleased  to  send  the  passport  required,  to  me, 
I  will  convey  it  by  a  flag;  the  letter  mentions  one  or  more 
wagons.  I  dare  say  you  will  extend  the  indulgence  as  far  as 
may  be  requisite  and  consistent  with  propriety. 

"  I  have  the  honour  to  be,  sir, 

"  Your  most  obedient  servant, 

"  G.  Washington." 

"  TO  HIS  EXCELLENCY  THOMAS  WHARTON,  ESQ.,  AT  LANCASTER. 

"  Headquarters,  Valley  Forge,  6  April,  1778. 

"  Sir,— 

"  Mrs.  Jones,  Mrs.  Pleasants,  and  two  other  ladies  connected 
with  the  Quakers  confined  at  Winchester,  Virginia,  waited 
upon  me  this  day  for  permission  to  pass  to  Yorktown,  to  en- 
deavour to  obtain  the  release  of  their  friends. 

"  As  they  were  admitted  by  the  officer  of  the  advanced  picket 
to  come  within  the  camp,  I  thought  it  safer  to  suffer  them  to 
proceed  than  oblige  them  to  return  immediately  to  the  city. 

"  You  will  judge  of  the  propriety  of  permitting  them  to  pro- 
ceed further  than  Lancaster,  but  from  appearances  I  imagine 
their  request  may  be  safely  granted.  As  they  seem  much  dis- 
tressed— humanity  pleads  strongly  in  their  behalf. 

"  I  have  the  honour  to  be,  sir, 

"  Your  most  obedient  servant, 

"  G.  Washington." 

The  committee  of  women  on  their  arrival  at  Lancaster 
heard  of  the  resolves  of  the  Council,  and  applied  directly  to  the 
President  and  Council  to  obtain  an  alteration  in  the  place  of 
our  discharge,  that  we  should  be  brought  to  the  borough  of 
Lancaster.  This  appears  from  an  extract  of  a  letter  from 
Timothy  Matlack  to  James  Pemberton,  dated  10th  of  April, 
1778  ;  and  the  resolve  is  as  follows  : 


t 


224  EXILES  FROM  PENNSYLVANIA. 

"IN  COUNCIL. 

"  Lancaster,  10th  April,  1778, 

"  Ordered,  That  the  prisoners  now  in  Virginia  be  brought  to 
this  borough,  to  be  discharged  there. 

"  Extract  from  the  minutes, 

"  Timothy  Matlack, 
"  Secretary." 

journal  continued. 

Winchester,  16th  day  of  dth  month,  1778. 

James  Pemberton  received  a  letter  from  Timothy  Matlack, 
dated  Lancaster,  lOlh  of  April,  1778,  as  follows: 

"  A  day  or  two  ago,  Council  received  from  the  Board  of 
War  an  order  to  Mr.  Holmes,  at  Winchester,  to  deliver  the 
prisoners  of  this  state  under  his  care,  to  the  order  of  the  Coun- 
cil, who  have  sent  forward  Mr.  Francis  Y.  Baily  and  Captain 
James  Lang  to  receive  and  conduct  you  to  this  borough,  where 
you  will  be  se  at  liberty,  soon  after  your  arrival. 

"  It  was  intended  to  have  set  you  at  liberty  at  Shippensburg, 
but  at  the  request  of  your  wife,  (Phebe  Pemberton,)  Susanna 
Jones,  Mary  Pleasants,  and  Eliza  Drinker,  the  first  resolution 
was  altered.  They  came  here  with  an  address  to  Council,  re- 
questing the  liberty  of  the  prisoners,  signed  by  the  wives  and 
near  relations  of  your  company. 

"  The  time  of  their  arrival  here  was  very  lucky,  as  a  few 
hours  of  delay  would  have  lost  the  opportunity  of  obtaining  this 
alteration,  which  appears  to  me  much  in  your  favour. 

"  Although  you  may  think,  when  you  shall  have  read  the 
enclosed  law,  '  For  the  further  security  of  the  government,' 
your  case  is  sufficiently  hard  ;  the  law  requires  your  attention, 
and  may  greatly  affect  the  property  of  some  of  you ;  it  there- 
fore deserves  your  most  serious  consideration  on  your  way  to 


RESIDENCE  AT  WINCHESTER. 


225 


this  place,  as  you  will  have  to  take  such  measures  as  your  judg- 
ment may  point  out  to  you  soon  after  your  arrival  here.  It  is 
necessary  to  say  this,  lest  you  should  not  advert  to  the  law  be- 
fore your  arrival." 

The  paragraph  of  the  law  to  which  Timothy  Matlack  re- 
ferred is  as  follows.  The  law  being  entitled,  "  An  Act  for  the 
further  security  of  the  Government." 

"  Section  VI. — And  whereas,  many  persons  have  frequently 
gone  into  the  City  of  Philadelphia,  since  the  same  has  been  in 
possession  of  the  British  army,  under  a  pretence  of  business,  or 
of  visiting  friends,  but  probably  with  a  view  of  giving  intelli- 
gence to  the  enemy ;  for  the  prevention  of  which  in  future 

"  Be  it  enacted,  That  if  any  person  whatsoever  shall,  from 
and  after  the  publication  of  this  act,  on  any  pretence  whatso- 
ever, go  by  land  or  water  through  or  from  any  part  of  this 
state  into  the  said  city  while  in  possession  of  the  British  army, 
or  within  the  lines  of  the  enemy  in  any  part  of  this  state,  with- 
out obtaining  leave  in  writing  for  that  purpose,  from  Congress, 
the  commander-in-chief  of  the  armies  of  the  United.  States  of 
America,  or  of  the  Executive  Council  of  this  commonwealth, 
and  shall  be  lawfully  convicted  thereof  in  any  Court  of  Oyer 
and  Terminer,  and  general  jail  delivery,  or  Court  of  Quarter 
Sessions  of  the  peace  for  any  county  of  this  state,  he  or  she 
shall  be  fined  in  any  sum  not  less  than  fifty  pounds,  and  impri- 
soned at  the  discretion  of  the  court,"  &c. 

From  which  it  is  evident  that  the  resolve  ordering  us  to  b'e 
brought  to  Shippensburg  would  have  subjected  us  to  further  diffi- 
culty, and  that  the  design  of  our  release  was  by  no  means  justly 
accomplished,  but  which  under  Providence,  by  the  arrival  of  the 
good  women  and  their  seasonable  application  to  Council,  was 
frustrated,  by  directing  we  should  be  brought  to  Lancaster. 

18th  of  4th  month,  and  seventh  day  of  the  week. — We  were 
informed  that  Captain  James  Lang  and  Francis  Y.  Baily 
arrived  last  night  at  Winchester.    Some  part  of  our  company 

15 


226 


EXILES  FROM  PENNSYLVANIA. 


went  to  confer  with  them,  and  they  freely  communicated  the 
instructions  they  had  concerning  us. 

They  are  to  escort  us  to  Lancaster,  to  see  that  we  have  civil 
treatment  on  our  journey.  But  as  they  and  the  horses  require 
rest,  it  would  not  be  suitable  for  them  to  set  out  for  two  or 
three  days.  They  therefore  propose  we  should  go  on  and  join 
them  at  Fredericktown,  Maryland,  on  the  24th,  which  is 
agreeable  to  the  company. 

RETURN  JOURNEY  TO  PENNSYLVANIA. 

On  the  19th  day  of  4th  month,  1778,  first  day  of  the  week, 
having  our  baggage  packed  up  and  left  in  the  care  of  our 
landlord,  David  Brown,  to  be  sent  to  Winchester,  we  took 
leave  of  the  family  and  set  off  about  ten  o'clock, — Israel  Pem- 
berton,  John  Pemberton,  James  Pemberton,  Henry  Drinker, 
and  Samuel  Pleasants,  inmates  of  the  house  of  David  Brown, 
from  the  16th  of  the  3d  month, — having  been  very  kindly  enter- 
tained by  him  and  his  wife,  Sarah  Brown.  We  went  to  Centre 
Meeting  in  the  morning,  and  at  the  conclusion  of  the  meeting 
to-day,  several  Friends,  who  had  shown  us  much  kindness  in 
the  course  of  our  exile,  were  present,  and  we  took  an  affec- 
tionate leave  of  each  other. 

Several  of  us  went  over  to  Lewis  Neal's  to  dinner,  and 
there  met  with  Alexander  White,  Esq.,  Thomas  Fisher,  Samuel 
R.  Fisher,  and  Miers  Fisher,  who  have  lived  there  about  a 
month. 

We  stayed  at  night  at  the  Widow  Smith's,  the  sister  of  our 
landlady,  Sarah  Brown.  Were  kindly  entertained  in  a  very 
genteel  manner,  the  neatest  accommodation  for  lodging,  our 
horses  well  taken  care  of,  and  on  a  beautiful  farm  in  good 
order. 

20th  day  of  4th  month,  second  day  of  the  week. — Set  off  on 
a  cool  morning.  Crossed  the  Shenandoah  River  in  a  ferry- 
boat ;  and  crossed  the  South  Mountain  at  very  high  and  beau- 


RETURN  JOURNEY  TO  PENNSYLVANIA. 


227 


tiful  prospects,  and  reached  our  friend  Mahlon  Janney's,  in 
Loudon  County,  about  five  o'clock,  where  we  were  received 
by  him  and  his  wife  Sarah  with  cordial  welcome.  We  spent 
the  evening  there,  and  had  most  comfortable  lodgings.  He  has 
a  place  about  a  mile  from  Fairfax  meeting,  with  a  mill,  in  a 
very  fertile  country,  though  the  land  generally  is  not  so  rich 
as  it  is  in  Frederick  County. 

21st. — A  pleasant  morning.  Ourfriend  Mahlon  Janney  went 
with  us  to  John  Hough's,  where  we  met  with  our  exiled  brethren 
Thomas  Wharton,  Owen  Jones,  jun.,  Edward  Pennington,  and 
Thomas  Fisher,  Samuel  R.  Fisher,  and  Miers  Fisher,  who 
came  over  about  noon,  and  went  home  with  Joseph  Janney. 

22d. — We  parted  with  our  kind  friends,  Mahlon  and  Sarah 
Janney,  to  go  toward  Fredericktown.  We  crossed  the  Potomac 
River  at  the  ferry,  about  three  o'clock,  and  were  very  kindly 
entertained  at  R.  Richardson's,  where  Dr.  Parke  and  James 
Morton  had  been  so  kindly  received  on  their  way  from  Win- 
chester. 

23d,  fourth  day  of  the  week. — We  reached  Fredericktown 
to  breakfast.  All  our  company  being  now  assembled  here,  and 
where  we  met  our  escort,  Captain  James  Lang  and  Francis  Y. 
Baily,  after  a  conference  we  agreed  to  meet  again  in  the  morn- 
ing at  Yorktown,  which  we  accomplished. 

24th,  fifth  day  of  the  week. — We  stopped  at  Yorktown  at 
the  house  of  George  UpdegraflT,  where  General  Gates,  who  re- 
sided next  door,  came  to  see  us,  and  after  we  had  our  horses 
taken  care  of,  we  waited  on  him. 

He  received  us  with  much  openness  and  civility,  and  said 
"  If  I  ^had  been  in  Philadelphia  at  the  time  of  your  being 
arrested  and  sent  into  exile,  I  would  have  prevented  it." 

He  told  us  that  intelligence  had  just  been  received  of  resolu- 
tions of  the  Parliament  of  Great  Britain,  and  that  they  were 
proposed  to  be  enacted  into  laws,  repealing  several  of  the  acts 
oppressive  to  America,  and  appointing  Commissioners  to  come 
over  to  treat  with  the  Americans  for  settling  the  unhappy  con- 
test; at  all  of  which,  General  Gates  seemed  much  pleased,  and 


228 


EXILES  FROM  PENNSYLVANIA. 


he  said  he  thought  Great  Britain  had  agreed  to  all  the  Ameri- 
cans had  heretofore  asked  or  contended  for. 

After  some  further  conversation  respecting  our  exile  and 
journey,  we  informed  him  we  had  agreed  to  meet  our  escorts 
at  this  town,  and  that  we  had  come  on  by  their  permission, 
having  left  them  at  Fredericktown. 

We  were  desirous  to  go  on  to  Lancaster  if  he  approved  of 
it ;  and  he  cheerfully  signified  it  under  his  handwriting,  and 
mentioned  that  as  the  wind  was  very  high,  we  might  meet  with 
delay  at  Susquehanna  Ferry. 

He  therefore  gave  us  an  order  to  Major  Eyre,  the  command- 
ing officer  there,  to  assist  us  over  in  a  boat  belonging  to  the 
public,  which  we  accepted,  as  follows  : 

"  Yorktown,  24th  of  April,  1778. 

"  Sir,— 

"  Mr.  Thomas  Fisher  and  his  company  are  on  their  way  to 
Lancaster,  pursuant  to  an  order  of  the  Executive  Council  of 
this  State.    The  General  desires  you  will  see  them  put  over 
the  river  in  your  skiffs,  provided  the  other  boat  cannot  go. 
"  I  am,  your  humble  servant, 

"  Isaac  Pierce. 

"  Major  Eyre,  at  Wright's  Ferry." 

Went  to  see  Thomas  Mifflin,  who  offered  the  like  assistance, 
and  treated  us  with  much  civility ;  he  wrote  to  Major  Eyre  to 
furnish  us  with  horses  to  go  to  Lancaster,  in  case  it  would  be 
impracticable  to  get  our  own  over  the  river,  which  we  all  ac- 
cepted, and  went  on  after  having  made  a  short  stay  in  the  town 
to  see  many  of  our  fellow-citizens,  who  had  taken  refugd  there 
whilst  the  British  army  retained  possession  of  Philadelphia. 

Samuel  Pleasants  and  James  Pemberton  set  off  about  11 
o'clock,  and  found  on  our  reaching  Wright's  Ferry  at  the  Sus- 
quehanna River,  the  orders  from  General  Gates  and  Thomas 
Mifflin  to  be  very  useful  to  us,  the  wind  being  high,  and  the 
boats  on  the  opposite  side.    We  were  put  over  by  four  ship 


RETURN  JOURNEY  TO  PENNSYLVANIA. 


229 


carpenters,  who  were  building  boats  for  the  American  service, 
to  convey  the  army  over  in  case  of  need. 

On  our  arrival  on  shore,  after  a  ready  passage,  we  found 
Major  Eyre,  in  company  with  several  other  military  officers, 
and  on  our  making  ourselves  known  to  him,  and  delivering  the 
letters  from  General  Gates  and  Thomas  Mifllin,  he  very  cheer- 
fully offered  us  horses  to  go  to  Lancaster,  having  been  obliged 
to  leave  our  own  on  the  other  side  of  the  river,  on  account  of 
the  high  wind ;  but  having  sufficient  time,  and  observing  the 
wind  to  abate.  Major  Eyre  sent  the  ferry-boat  over,  and  within 
about  two  hours  the  horses  were  brought  to  us. 

About  four  o'clock  we  set  off",  and  passing  through  Lan- 
caster, reached  J.  Webb's,  where  we  found  all  our  female  con- 
nexions, Phcebe  Pemberton,  Mary  Pleasants,  Susanna  Jones, 
and  Eliza  Drinker,  in  good  health,  waiting  our  arrival;  from 
them  we  had  an  account  of  their  proceedings,  and  of  their 
application  to  the  members  of  the  Council  personally,  and  by 
a  suitable  memorial,  to  alter  the  place  to  which  the  Council 
had  at  first  ordered  us  to  be  escorted  and  set  at  liberty. 

25th  of  4th  month,  seventh  day  of  the  week. — In  the  after- 
noon we  met  and  appointed  a  committee  to  acquaint  Thomas 
Wharton,  jun.,  President  of  the  Council,  of  our  being  come  to 
Lancaster,  agreeably  to  the  appointment  of  Council ;  and  that 
we  were  desirous  to  have  an  interview  with  that  Board,  being 
ready  to  answer  any  matters  they  had  against  us,  in  support  of 
their  depriving  us  of  our  liberty,  and  detaining  us  so  long  in 
exile. 

He  received  the  committee  civilly,  and  informed  us  that  the 
Council  had  adjourned  till  second  day  morning  ;  that  he  would 
deliver  our  message  when  the  Council  met,  but  recommended 
us  to  commit  to  writing  what  we  thought  necessary  to  say  to 
them.  He  stated  it  to  be  his  opinion,  that  the  Council  would 
not  admit  us  to  have  a  personal  interview  with  them. 

26th  day  of  4th  month,  first  day  of  the  week.  —  We 
attended  Friends'  meeting  at  Lancaster.    All  our  fellow-exiles 


230 


EXILES  FROM  PENNSYLVANIA. 


were  present ;  and  in  the  course  of  the  day  had  a  conversation 
with  Timothy  Matlack,  Secretary  to  the  Council. 

Having  been  informed  that  the  Council  would  not  admit  us 
to  a  personal  interview,  we  drew  up  the  following  short  memo- 
rial, to  be  presented  to  them  at  their  meeting,  on  second  day 
morning. 


"  TO  THE  PRESIDENT  AND  COUNCIL  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


"  We  the  subscribers,  inhabitants  of  the  city  of  Philadelphia, 
having  been  there  arrested  and  banished  to  Winchester,  in  Vir- 
ginia, by  your  authority,  upon  groundless  suspicions,  without 
any  offence  being  laid  to  our  charge  ;  and  being  now  brought 
to  this  place  by  your  messenger,  after  a  captivity  of  near 
eight  months,  think  it  our  duty  to  apply  to  you  to  be  reinstated 
in  the  full  enjoyment  of  the  liberty  of  which  we  have  been  so 
long  deprived. 

"  We  are  your  real  friends, 
Thomas  Fisher,  Israel  Pemberton, 

Samuel  R.  Fisher,  James  Pemberton, 

Miers  Fisher,  Edward  Pennington, 

Thomas  Affleck,  John  Pemberton, 

Elijah  Brown,  Thomas  Wharton, 

William  Smith,  Henry  Drinker, 

Owen  Jones,  Jr.  Samuel  Pleasants, 

Charles  Eddy,  Charles  Jervis. 

"Lancaster,  26th  day  of  the  4th  month,  1778." 


Lancaster,  27th  day  of  the  4th  month. — Our  company  met 
this  morning.  We  signed  the  memorial  to  the  President  and 
Council,  gave  it  to  the  Secretary,  to  be  laid  before  the 
Board  ;  and  after  we  had  waited  about  two  hours,  the  Secre- 
tary came  to  us,  and  informed  us  that  the  subject-matter  had 
been  duly  considered  and  debated  in  Council,  which  had  come 
to  the  following  determination,  and  directed  him  to  deliver  us 


RETURN  JOURNEY  TO  PENNSYLVANIA. 


231 


a  copy  thereof,  and  to  inform  us  that  any  further  application  to 
them  on  the  subject  was  unnecessary,  as  they  would  not  hear  us. 

"IN  COUNCIL. 

"  Lancaster,  April  27tli,  1778. 

"  The  case  of  the  prisoners  brought  from  Virginia,  now  in 
this  borough,  being  considered,  thereupon  ordered  : 

"  That  they  be  immediately  sent  to  Pottsgrove  in  the  county 
of  Philadelphia,  and  there  be  discharged  from  their  confine- 
ment, and  that  they  be  furnished  with  a  copy  of  this  order, 
which  shall  be  deemed  a  discharge. 

"  Extract  from  the  minutes. 

"  Timothy  Matlack, 

"  Secretary." 

FORM  OF  A  PASS  TO  EACH  PRISONER. 

"James  Pemberton,  of  the  city  of  Philadelphia,  gentleman,  one 
of  the  prisoners  referred  to  by  the  above  order  of  the  Council, 
is  hereby  permitted,  with  his  horses,  servants,  and  baggage,  to 
pass  unmolested  into  the  county  of  Philadelphia,  agreeably  to 
said  order,  which  is  to  be  respected  as  his  discharge. 

"  Timothy  Matlack, 

"  Secretary," 

On  reading  the  resolve,  we  represented  to  the  Secretary  the 
injustice  of  the  proceeding  of  the  Council,  and  their  unreason- 
able determination  to  decline  restoring  us  to  our  full  liberty, 
that  we  might  return  to  our  families  from  whom  they  had  in 
the  most  ai'bitrary  manner  violently  separated  us,  and  unjustly 
detained  us  in  exile  almost  eight  months,  without  exhibiting 
any  manner  of  accusation  against  us  ;  and  now,  as  at  first,  re- 
fusing to  hear  us  in  our  defence. 

The  Secretary  told  us  that  any  further  application  would  be 


232 


EXILES  FROM  PENNSYLVANIA. 


ineffectual.  And  he  used  many  arguments  to  prevail  on  us  to 
decline  making  it.  On  which  we  had  to  separate,  after  urging 
the  Secretary  to  send  forward  the  baggage-wagon,  when  it 
came  to  Lancaster,  which  he  said  should  be  taken  care  of. 

John  Pemberion  was  not  easy  to  go  on  without  having  some 
further  conversation  with  the  Secretary,  or  some  members  of 
the  Council ;  he  being  dissatisfied  with  the  resolve  relating  to 
our  release.  Several  others  of  the  party  proceeded  part  of  the 
way  towards  Poltsgrove,  and  some  waited  till  morning. 

28th. — John  Pemberton  had  an  opportunity  to  converse  with 
the  Secretary,  and  although  he  did  not  succeed  in  obtaining  an 
alteration  of  the  resolve  of  Council,  he  concluded  to  go  on 
with  us  on  the  direct  road  towards  the  city.  The  females  went 
on  in  the  carriage  they  came  in,  and  Israel  Morris  attended 
them  on  horseback. 

After  we  had  rode  on  about  a  mile,  we  were  met  by  several 
Friends  coming  on  to  see  us,  who  understood  we  were  not 
satisfied  with  the  manner  of  our  releasement ;  we  parted  with 
them  after  we  had  gone  on  a  few  miles,  and  we  reached  our 
friend,  Robert  Valentine's,  in  the  evening. 

We  concluded  that  our  friend,  Israel  Morris,  should  go  on 
early  in  the  morning,  to  General  Washington,  at  headquarters, 
with  the  pass  given  him  by  the  President  and  Council  for  the 
women,  which  required  an  endorsement  from  the  General,  to 
enable  them  to  return  into  the  city ;  and  a  few  lines  being 
drawn  up  for  that  purpose,  directed  to  him,  they  signed  it. 

29th. — Fourth  day  of  the  week.  A  pleasant  cool  morning. 
Israel  Morris  set  off  early,  with  the  letter  and  pass  to  General 
Washington.  Several  Friends  came  to  see  us,  and  we  went 
on  to  Edward  Jones's  at  Radnor,  where  by  appointment  Israel 
Morris  met  us,  having  accomplished  the  business  he  went 
about  with  expedition  ;  and  he  brought  us  likewise  a  pass 
signed  by  the  General's  Secretary,  Tench  Tilghman,  Esquire, 
for  permission  for  us  four  persons  to  proceed  to  Philadelphia 
unmolested,  which  was  satisfactory  to  all  of  us,  and  we 
esteemed  it  a  proof  of  the  General's  sense  of  justice  and 
politeness. 


RETURN  JOURNEY  TO  PENNSYLVANIA. 


233 


About  three  o'clock  we  passed  the  picket  guard,  at  ihe  sign 
of  the  Sorrel  Horse,  at  Radnor,  where  Colonel  Livingston 
commanded ;  we  showed  him  our  papers,  which  he  said  were 
quite  sufficient.  He  invited  us  to  come  into  his  house,  but  we 
acknowledged  his  civility,  and  pursued  our  journey.  As  it 
was  too  late  to  go  into  the  city,  we  went  to  the  house  of  our 
friend,  John  Roberts,  which  we  reached  about  six  o'clock, 
where  we  were  kindly  received  by  his  wife,  John  Roberts 
having  been  under  the  necessity  to  reside  in  the  city  since  it 
has  been  in  possession  of  the  British  forces,  in  consequence  of 
some  exception  the  Americans  had  taken  against  him,  and  by 
whom  he  had  suffered  considerably  in  his  property. 

30th  day  of  the  4th  month,  1778,  fifth  day  of  the  week. — 
We  set  off  from  John  Roberts's  about  9  o'clock  in  the  morning, 
and  although  we  were  under  pleasant  feelings  at  our  return, 
these  were  considerably  abated  by  observing,  as  we  approached 
to  the  city,  the  devastations  committed  by  the  English  army 
in  their  excursions  around  it.  The  fences  being  generally  de- 
stroyed, the  fields  of  grass  and  corn  left  exposed,  houses  demo- 
lished, and  left  desolate,  which  sorrowful  appearance  extends 
for  some  miles  round  the  city. 

Thus,  through  the  favour  of  Divine  Providence,  we  were 
restored  to  our  families,  in  a  way  and  at  a  time  we  had  little 
reason  to  expect  it,  which  is  worthy  our  humble  gratitude,  in 
addition  to  the  many  mercies  we  have  experienced  in  our  exile. 
And  it  should  be  a  cause  of  further  confidence  in  Divine  Pro- 
vidence, to  endure  such  dispensations  as  may  be  permitted  to 
us,  through  the  future  part  of  our  lives. 


234 


EXILES  FROM  PENNSYLVANIA. 


CONCLUSION. 

In  concluding  the  Narrative  of  the  Friends  in  Exile,  it  should 
be  considered  that  their  banishment  was  one  of  those  trials  of 
faith  which  the  Friends  so  frequently  had  to  undergo  in  Europe 
in  order  to  sustain  their  peaceable  principles ;  and  which  they 
had  hoped  they  would  never  have  to  experience  in  a  country 
where  they  had  secured  the  liberty  of  conscience  as  a  birth- 
right to  all  the  people  of  the  land. 

No  charges  of  a  political  character  could  be  sustained  against 
the  exiles,  and  the  examination  which  was  made  of  their  con- 
duct during  the  period  of  their  banishment,  eventually  left  them 
without  accusation — so  that  when  party  spirit  subsided,  the 
government  was  embarrassed  by  the  reproach  of  having  deeply 
injured  innocent  citizens,  towards  whom  they  had  committed 
an  act  of  great  injustice. 

As  soon  as  the  troubles  of  the  Revolution  subsided,  and  the 
organization  of  a  consistent  government  had  taken  place,  by 
which  freedom  and  the  rights  of  man  were  restored  to  society, 
a  just  estimate  of  their  principles  and  conduct  became  once 
more  acknowledged  ;  and  the  position  they  had  before  retained 
was  fully  understood,  and  granted  them,  wherever  their  civil 
or  political  relations  extended. 

In  acknowledging  the  order  of  government  and  of  society,  and 
in  rendering  it  their  support  as  good  citizens,  they  were  always 
useful  and  distinguished  ;  and  their  views  as  a  religious  Society 
were  respected  and  esteemed. 

Soon  after  the  institution  of  the  present  form  of  government, 
they  found  it  to  be  their  duty  to  appoint  a  committee  of  their 
Yearly  Meeting  to  wait  upon  the  President,  General  Washing- 
ton, by  a  respectful  address,  which  was  delivered  to  him  in  per- 
son; this  address  is  so  expressive,  both  of  their  sincere  and 
loyal  feelings,  and  of  the  character  of  the  Society,  it  is  thought 


CONCLUSION. 


235 


proper  to  insert  it.  That  their  conduct  had  been  fully  under- 
stood by  General  Washington,  will  appear  in  his  reply,  and 
this  may  be  valued  not  only  as  an  expression  of  his  sound 
judgment,  but  which  assuredly  would  not  have  been  given 
except  upon  just  and  impartial  consideration. 

The  following  is  a  copy  of  the  very  interesting  address  to  the 
President  of  the  United  States,  (George  Washington,)  presented 
him  by  a  deputation  from  the  Society  of  Friends,  in  1789,  and 
of  his  reply. 

TO  THE  PRESIDENT  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES. 

THE  ADDRESS  OF  THE  RELIGIOUS  SOCIETY  CALLED  QUAKERS,  FROM 
THEIR  \EARLY  MEETING  FOR  PENNSYLVANIA,  NEW  JERSEY,  DELA- 
WARE, AND  THE  WESTERN  PARTS  OF  MARYLAND  AND  VIRGINIA. 

Being  met  in  this  our  annual  assembly,  for  the  well  ordering 
the  affairs  of  our  Religious  Society,  and  the  promotion  of  uni- 
versal righteousness,  our  minds  have  been  drawn  to  consider 
that  the  Almighty,  who  ruleth  in  Heaven  and  in  the  kingdoms 
of  men,  having  permitted  a  great  revolution  to  take  place  in  the 
government  of  this  country,  we  are  fervently  concerned  that 
the  rulers  of  the  people  may  be  favoured  with  the  council  of 
God;  the  only  sure  means  of  enabling  them  to  fulfil  the  impor- 
tant trusts  committed  to  their  charge,  and  in  an  especial  man- 
ner, that  Divine  wisdom  and  grace  vouchsafed  from  above,  may 
qualify  thee  to  fill  up  the  duties  of  the  exalted  station  to  which 
thou  art  appointed. 

We  are  sensible  thou  hast  obtained  a  great  place  in  the 
esteem  and  affection  of  people  of  all  denominations,  over  whom 
thou  presidest,  and  many  eminent  talents  being  committed  to 
thy  trust,  we  much  desire  they  may  be  fully  devoted  to  the 
Lord's  honour  and  service,  that  thus  thou  mayest  be  an  happy 
instrument  in  his  hands,  for  the  suppression  of  vice,  infidelity, 
and  irreligion,  and  every  species  of  oppression  on  the  persons 


236 


EXILES  FROM  PENNSYLVANIA. 


or  concerns  of  men,  so  that  righteousness  and  peace,  which 
truly  exalt  a  nation,  may  prevail  throughout  the  land,  as  the 
only  solid  foundation  that  can  be  laid  for  prospei'ily  and  hap- 
piness. 

The  free  toleration  which  the  citizens  of  these  States  enjoy, 
in  the  public  worship  of  the  Almighty  agreeably  to  the  dictates 
of  their  consciences,  we  esteem  among  the  choicest  of  bless- 
ings, and  we  desire  to  be  filled  with  fervent  charity  for  those 
who  differ  from  us  in  matters  of  faith  and  practice;  believing 
that  the  general  assembly  of  saints  is  composed  of  the  sincere 
and  upright-hearted  of  all  nations,  kingdoms,  and  people,  so  we 
trust  we  may  justly  claim  it  from  others ; — a  full  persuasioi! 
that  the  divine  principle  we  profess,  leads  into  harmony  and 
concord,  we  can  take  no  part  in  warlike  measures  on  any  occa- 
sion or  under  any  power,  but  we  are  bound  in  conscience  to 
lead  quiet  and  peaceable  lives,  in  godliness  and  honesty  among 
men,  contributing  freely  our  proportion  to  the  indigencies  of 
the  poor,  and  to  the  necessary  support  of  civil  government;  ac- 
knowledging those  that  rule  well  to  be  worthy  of  double  honour, 
— having  never  been  chargeable  from  our  first  establishment  as 
a  religious  Society,  with  fomenting  or  countenancing  tumult 
or  conspiracies,  or  disrespect  to  those  who  are  placed  in 
authority  over  us. 

We  wish  not  improperly  to  intrude  on  thy  time  or  patience, 
nor  is  it  our  practice  to  offer  adulation  to  any.  But  as  we  are 
a  people  whose  principles  and  conduct  have  been  misrepre- 
sented and  traduced,  we  take  the  liberty  to  assure  thee,  that 
we  feel  our  hearts  affectionately  drawn  towards  thee,  and  those 
in  authority  over  us,  with  prayers  that  thy  presidency  may, 
under  the  blessing  of  Heaven,  be  happy  to  thyself  and  to  the 
people,  that  through  the  increase  of  morality  and  true  religion. 
Divine  Providence  may  condescend  to  look  down  upon  our 
land  with  a  propitious  eye,  and  bless  the  inhabitants  with  the 
continuance  of  peace,  the  dew  of  heaven,  and  the  fatness  of  the 
earth,  and  enable  us  gratefully  to  acknowledge  His  manifold 
mercies. 


CONCLUSION. 


237 


And  it  is  our  earnest  concern  that  He  may  be  pleased  to 
grant  tiiee  every  necessary  qualification  to  fill  thy  weighty  and 
important  station  to  his  glory,  and  that  finally,  when  all  ter- 
restrial honours  shall  pass  away,  thou  and  thy  respectable 
consort  may  be  found  worthy  to  receive  a  crown  of  unfading 
righteousness,  in  the  mansions  of  peace  and  joy  for  ever. 

Signed  in  and  on  behalf  of  the  said  meeting,  held  at  Phila- 
delphia, by  adjournment,  from  the  28th  of  the  9lh  month  to  the 
3d  of  the  10th  month  inclusive,  1789. 

(Signed)       Nicholas  Waln, 

Clerk. 


THE  ANSWER  OF  THE  PRESIDENT  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES,  TO  THE 
ADDRESS  OF  THE  RELIGIOUS  SOCIETY  CALLED  QUAKERS,  FROM  THEIR 
YEARLY  MEETING  FOR  PENNSYLVANIA,  NEW  JERSEY,  DELAWARE, 
AND  THE  WESTERN  PARTS  OF  MARYLAND  AND  VIRGINIA. 

Gentlemen, — 

I  received  with  pleasure  your  affectionate  address,  and  thank 
you  for  the  friendly  sentiments  and  good  wishes  which  you 
express  for  the  success  of  my  administration,  and  for  my  per- 
sonal happiness.  We  have  reason  to  rejoice  in  the  prospect, 
that  the  national  government,  which,  by  the  power  of  Divine 
Providence,  was  formed  by  the  common  councils,  and  peace- 
ably established  with  the  common  consent  of  the  people,  will 
prove  a  blessing  to  every  denomination  of  them ;  to  render  it 
such,  my  best  endeavours  shall  not  be  wanting.  Government 
being  among  other  purposes,  instituted  to  protect  the  persons 
and  consciences  of  men  from  oppression,  it  certainly  is  the 
duty  of  rulers  not  only  to  abstain  from  it  themselves,  but,  ac- 
cording to  their  stations,  to  prevent  it  in  others. 

The  liberty  enjoyed  by  the  pe{)ple  of  these  States,  of  worship- 
ping Almighty  God  agreeably  to  their  consciences,  is  not  only 
among  the  choicest  of  their  blessings,  but  also  of  their  rights. 
While  men  perform  their  social  duties  faithfully,  they  do  all  that 


238 


EXILES  FROM  PENNSYLVANIA. 


society  or  the  state  can  with  propriety  expect  or  demand,  and  re- 
main responsible  only  to  their  Maker  for  the  religion  or  mode 
of  faith  which  they  may  prefer  or  profess.  Your  principles  and 
conduct  are  icell  known  to  me,  and  it  is  doing  the  people  called 
Quakers,  no  more  than  justice  to  say  that  (except  their  declining 
to  share  with  others  in  the  burthens  of  common  defence)  there 
is  no  denomination  among  us,  who  are  more  exemplary  and 
useful  citizens.  I  assure  you  very  especially,  that  in  my  opinion, 
the  conscientious  scruples  of  all  men  should  be  treated  with 
great  delicacy  and  tenderness ;  and  it  is  my  wish  and  desire, 
that  the  laws  may  always  be  as  extensively  accommodated  to 
them,  as  a  due  regard  to  the  protection  and  essential  interest  of 
the  nation  may  justify  and  permit. 

(Signed)       George  Washington. 


The  following  "  Observations"  are  deemed  too  important  to 
be  placed  in  the  Appendix.  Though  closely  connected  with 
the  Narrative,  they  could  not  from  their  nature  form  a  part 
of  it. 

They  offer  a  clear  and  candid  exposition  by  the  Exiles  of 
their  sense  of  the  wrongs  under  which  they  suffered. 


OBSERVATIONS  ON  THE  CHARGES 


CONTAINED  IN  SEVERAL  KESOLVES  OF  CONGRESS, 

AfiAINST  THE  SOCIETY  OF  PEOPLE  CALLED  QUAKERS  IN  GENERAL,  AND 
SOME  MEMBERS  OF  THAT  SOCIETY  IN  PARTICULAR, 

Who,  with  several  of  their  fellow-citizens,  were  banished  from  the  city  of  Phila- 
delphia, and  are  now  confined  at  the  town  of  Winchester,  in  Virginia. 

The  subscribers,  inhabitants  of  Philadelphia,  having  been 
imprisoned  and  sent  into  banishment  to  a  country  where  they 
are  strangers,  in  so  precipitate  a  manner  that  they  had  not  an 
opportunity  of  defending  themselves  against  the  pretended 
offences  laid  to  their  charge,  think  it  a  duty  they  owe  to  them- 
selves and  their  country,  (whose  true  interests  they  trust  they 
have  at  heart,)  to  make  some  remarks  on  certain  publications 
made  by  order  of  Congress,  containing  reflections  on  the 
Society  of  people  called  Quakers,  in  general,  and  intended  to 
justify  the  extraordinary  proceedings  against  them. 

These  publications  consist  of  certain  resolves  of  Congress, 
passed  between  the  28th  day  of  August  and  the  5th  day  of 
September,  and  of  eleven  papers  mentioned  in  those  resolves, 
and  published  in  consequence  thereof. 

It  appears  from  the  resolve  of  the  28th  day  of  August,  that  a 
committee  appointed  to  take  into  consideration  certain  papers 
referred  to  them,  reported,  "  That  the  several  testimonies  which 
have  been  published  since  the  commencement  of  the  present  con- 
test between  Great  Britain  and  America,  and  the  uniform  tenor 
of  the  conduct  and  conversation  of  a  number  of  persons  of  con- 
siderable wealth,  who  profess  themselves  to  belong  to  the  Society 
of  people  commonly  called  Quakers,  render  it  certain  and  noto- 
rious that  those  persons  are  with  much  rancour  and  bitterness 
disaffected  to  the  American  cause.  "  That  as  those  persons  will 


240 


EXILES  FROM  PENNSYLVANIA. 


have  it  in  their  power,  so  there  is  no  doubt  it  will  be  (heir  in- 
clination to  communicate  intelligence  to  the  enemy,  and  in 
various  other  ways  to  injure  the  counsels  and  arms  of  America. 
That  when  the  enemy,  in  the  month  of  December,  1776,  were 
bending  their  progress  towards  the  city  of  Philadelphia,  a  cer- 
tain seditious  publication  addressed,  '  To  our  Friends  and 
Brethren  in  religious  profession,  in  these  and  the  adjacent  Pro- 
vinces,' signed  John  Pemberton,  in  and  on  behalf  of  the  Meeting 
of  Sufferings  held  at  Philadelphia,  for  Pennsylvania  and  New 
Jersey,  the  20th  day  of  the  12th  month,  1776,  was  published, 
and  as  the  committee  was  credibly  informed,  circulated  among 
many  members  of  the  Society  called  Quakers  throughout  the 
different  States.  That  there  is  strong  reason  to  apprehend  that 
those  persons  maintain  a  correspondence  and  connexion  highly 
prejudicial  to  the  public  safety  not  only  in  this  but  in  the  re- 
spective States  of  America."* 

This  we  apprehend  is  the  whole  of  the  charge  exhibited 
against  that  Society  in  general,  or  us  as  individuals.  In  con- 
sequence of  which,  resolves  were  formed  to  recommend  to 
the  Council  of  Pennsylvania  to  apprehend  and  secure  eleven 
persons  by  name,  and  all  others  who  had  in  their  general  con- 
duct and  conversation  evidenced  a  disposition  inimical  to  "  the 
cause  of  America,"  and  "  that  the  records  and  papers  of  the 
Meetings  of  Sufferings  in  the  several  States,  be  forthwith 
secured  and  carefully  examined,  and  that  such  parts  of  them 
as  might  be  of  a  political  nature  be  forthwith  transmitted  to 
Congress." 

As  we  have  heretofore  given  the  public  an  account  of  the 
arbitrary  manner  in  which  the  Council  executed  these  recom- 
mendations of  Congress,  and  refused  to  hear  us  in  our  defence, 
it  will  be  unnecessary  here  to  I'epeat  it ;  we  shall  therefore  pro- 
ceed to  examine  the  charges  insinuated  against  the  Society  in 
general;  the  application  of  them  to  us  in  particular;  and  to 
remark  on  the  papers  published  in  support  of  those  charges. 

And  first  we  acknowledge  that  we  are  members  of  the 

*  See  page  284,  of  Appendix,  for  a  copy  of  this  Address. 


OBSERVATIONS  ON  THE  RESOLVES  OF  CONGRESS. 


241 


Society  of  people  called  Quakers,  which  can  be  no  cause  of 
offence,  inasmuch  as  our  religious  principles  have  been  known 
and  tolerated  for  a  century  in  every  part  of  the  world  where 
any  of  us  have  lived  ;  and  if  some  of  that  Society  are  possessed 
of  considerable  wealth,  yet  we  cannot  see  why  that  should  be 
made  a  part  of  the  accusation  against  them,  unless  it  were 
shown  that  it  was  dishonestly  acquired  or  improperly  applied ; 
that  we  are  disaffected  to  the  true  interests  of  America,  so  far 
as  we  are  capable  of  judging  of  them,  we  positively  deny  ;  and 
rancour  and  bitterness  are  so  opposite  to  the  precepts  and 
doctrines  of  the  Gospel,  in  which  we  believe,  that  to  be  actuated 
thereby,  would  render  us  inconsistent  with  ourselves,  and  deprive 
us  of  that  character  which  our  general  conduct  has  obtained, 
nor  can  it  be  reconciled  to  common  sense,  that  natives  of  Ame- 
rica, whose  parents,  wives,  children,  friends,  and  connexions, 
and  whose  estates  are  here,  should  be  inimical  to  a  country  in 
whose  prosperity  their  happiness  depends. 

The  several  testimonies  published  by  the  representatives  of 
our  Society  do  declare  the  principles  we  profess  with  respect 
to  war ;  but  we  deny  that  they  can  be  justly  construed  into 
disaffection  to  the  interests  of  America,  as  will  clearly  appear 
when  we  have  remarked  on  them.  The  uniform  tenor  of  our 
conduct  and  conversation  we  trust,  has  been  so  peaceable  and 
inoffensive,  that  had  it  been  known  to  the  Congress,  it  would 
have  been  so  far  from  affording  grounds  for  persecution,  that 
it  would  have  amounted  to  a  justification  against  the  insinua- 
tions our  enemies  have  suggested. 

We  believe  this  is  the  first  instance  in  history  where  men  have 
been  apprehended  and  condemned  upon  so  general  a  charge  as 
the  tenor  of  their  conduct  and  conversation,  when  there  was  so 
little  intercourse  between  the  judges  and  the  parties,  that  they 
could  form  no  judgment  but  from  the  reports  of  others ;  such 
was  the  case  with  us  that  none  of  the  delegates  in  Congress 
could  determine  what  they  had  against  us  of  their  own  know- 
ledge, but  must  have  procured  whatever  information  they  had 
from  our  enemies. 

16 


242 


EXILES  FROM  PENNSYLVANIA. 


If  the  accusation  originated  with  themselves,  they  as  accusers  . 
ought  not  at  the  same  time  to  have  been  our  judges — and  if  they 
were  not  our  accusers,  as  judges  they  ought  to  have  stated 
some  particular  offence,  and  confronted  us  with  the  witnesses 
to  support  the  charge.  A  criminal  committed  after  a  fair  trial 
by  a  jury  of  his  country  is  always  asked,  what  he  has  to  say 
why  sentence  should  not  be  passed  upon  him,  in  pursuance  of 
the  verdict?  We  were  condemned  and  sentenced  to  banish- 
ment, before  we  even  knew  that  we  were  accused  ;  and  that,  not 
for  any  crime,  but  for  the  tenor  of  our  conduct  and  conversa- 
tion ;  such  a  mode  of  administering  justice  is  sufficient  to  alarm 
every  freeman  in  America,  for  no  man  can  be  safe  while  those 
in  power  will  listen  to  the  whispered  accusation  of  a  concealed 
enemy,  resolve  that  the  party  is  guilty,  and  refuse  to  hear  his 
defence, 

The  charge  of  having  it  in  our  power  to  communicate  intel- 
ligence to  the  enemy,  may  with  equal  justice  be  made  against 
every  member  of  Congress,  but  it  is  a  new  species  of  reasoning 
to  infer  from  thence  that  it  would  be  their,  or  our  inclination  so 
to  do;  for  we  well  know  the  consequence  of  a  discovery,  and 
it  might  as  well  be  inferred,  that  because  we  had  it  in  our 
power,  so  we  were  inclined  to  destroy  ourselves. 

But  besides  that  security  which  the  laws  have  provided  to 
prevent  such  communication,  we  are  bound  by  a  more  solemn 
tie  than  any  human  laws  can  make  ;  for,  as  we  have  heretofore 
declared  in  a  paper  addressed  to  the  President  and  Council  of 
Pennsylvania,  "  Although  at  the  time  many  of  our  forefathers 
were  convinced  of  the  truth  which  we,  their  descendants  now 
profess,  great  fluctuations  and  various  changes  and  turnings 
happened  in  government,  and  they  were  greatly  vilified  and 
persecuted  for  a  firm  and  steady  adherence  to  their  peaceable 
and  inoffensive  principles,  yet  they  were  preserved  from  any 
thing  tending  to  promote  insurrections,  conspiracies,  or  the 
shedding  of  blood ;  and  during  the  troubles,  which  by  permis- 
sion of  Divine  Providence  have  latterly  prevailed,  we  have 
steadily  maintained  our  religious  principles  in  these  respects, 


OBSERVATIONS  ON  THE  RESOLVES  OP  CONGRESS. 


243 


and  have  not  held  any  correspondence  with  the  contending 
parties  as  is  unjustly  insinuated,  but  are  withheld  and  restrained 
from  being  concerned  in  such  matters  by  that  divine  principle 
of  grace  and  truth  which  we  profess  to  be  our  guide  and  rule 
through  life ;  this  is  of  more  force  and  obligation  than  all  the 
tests  and  declarations  devised  by  men." 

If  even  such  an  inclination  had  appeared,  (which  we  firmly 
and  utterly  deny,)  we  apprehend  no  system  of  law  hitherto  es- 
tablished ever  gave  cognizance  over  the  inclinations  of  the 
subject,  unless  we  recur  to  the  Popish  Inquisition,  where  we 
acknowledge  precedents  for  the  proceedings  against  us  may 
be  found  ;  and  before  we  leave  this  subject,  it  may  not  be  im- 
proper to  answer  an  objection  of  the  President  and  Council, 
which,  though  no  part  of  the  original  charge,  appears  among  the 
resolves  of  Congress  now  under  consideration.  They  assert 
that  "  few  of  the  Quakers  among  these,  are  willing  to  make  any 
promise  of  any  kind."  This  we  declare  is  not  a  true  state  of 
the  fact,  for  we  were  taken  up  and  confined  for  refusing  to  enter 
into  an  engagement,  conceived  in  such  terms  as  implied  an  ac- 
knowledgment of  guilt  in  the  article  of  giving  intelligence  to  the 
commander  of  the  British  forces,"  and  we  would  have  sur- 
rendered our  right  to  be  heard  in  our  defence,  had  we  been  weak 
enough  to  have  submitted  to  this  for  the  sake  of  a  short  and  un- 
certain respite  from  banishment;  we  should  have  given  some 
colour  of  probability  to  the  suspicions  they  entertained,  and 
drawn  a  blemish  on  ourselves  which  our  conduct  never  merited. 

With  respect  to  the  charge  of  "  a  seditious  publication," 
dated  the  20th  of  the  12th  month,  1776,  we  cannot  but  express 
our  surprise  that  any  thing  contained  in  the  epistle  from  the 
Meeting  for  Sufferings,  of  that  date,  could  be  so  misunderstood 
or  perverted  as  to  be  styled  seditious  ;  we  shall,  however,  for- 
bear remarking  further  on  it  until  it  comes  in  the  order  of  pub- 
lication, to  be  considered  as  a  part  of  the  proof  against  us. 

To  the  last  part  of  the  charge  we  say,  that  if  after  the  ex- 
ample of  the  primitive  churches  to  maintain  a  correspondence 
with  our  brethren  in  religious  fellowship ;  to  communicate  and 


244 


EXILES  FROM  PENNSYLVANIA. 


receive  a  state  of  the  society ;  to  encourage  one  another  in  a 
steadfast  and  upright  wall<ing  in  the  pure  principles  of  the 
Gospel,  and  preserve  the  uniform  practice  of  the  precepts  of 
our  holy  Redeemer  in  the  members  of  the  Society  wherever 
tliey  are  dispersed — if  this  is  highly  prejudicial  to  the  public 
safety,  then  indeed  is  our  Society  culpable ;  for  from  our  first 
appearance  as  a  people  upwards  of  a  century  ago,  such  a  cor- 
respondence and  connexion  has  always  been  maintained  and 
preserved  among  us,  nor  has  it  ever  been  interrupted  or  con- 
sidered as  prejudicial  by  any  government  under  whicli  we  have 
lived  till  the  present  instance.  And  to  deny  us  this  right  of 
admonishing  our  members  to  keep  to  their  religious  principles, 
and  to  avoid  every  thing  which  has  a  tendency  to  lead  them 
astray,  would  be  to  deprive  us  of  the  benefit  of  that  toleration 
which  our  ancestors  obtained  through  many  severe  trials  and 
persecutions,  and  which  they  purchased  as  their  inheritance  in 
this  country  at  the  dear  rate  of  leaving  their  native  land,  to 
encounter  the  hardships  and  perils  of  settling  a  wilderness  at 
their  own  expense,  and  which  was  after  some  time  confirmed 
to  them  in  every  part  of  the  British  empire.  This  toleration 
our  Society  has  never  abused,  and  we  dare  challenge  our  ad- 
versaries to  prove  a  single  instance  where  any  of  our  meetings 
have  been,  or  now  are  perverted  to  any  thing  prejudicial  to 
the  public  safety. 

From  the  whole  of  this  charge,  and  the  manner  in  which 
we  have  been  treated  under  pretence  of  its  being  applicable  to 
us,  it  seems  rather  intended  to  pave  the  way  for  depriving  our 
religious  Society  of  the  enjoyment  of  toleration,  than  an  accu- 
sation against  a  few  individuals ;  to  be  more  pointed  at  the 
peaceable  principles  we  profess  and  wish  to  put  in  practice, 
than  at  any  personal  behaviour  in  this  time  of  calamity;  and 
to  be  a  revival  of  that  cruel  persecution  which  raged  with 
much  rancour  and  bitterness  in  New  England,  about  the  middle 
of  the  last  century,  against  the  members  of  our  Society,  rather 
than  a  prosecution  of  offenders  against  the  public  good. 

Having  made  a  few  observations  on  the  charge,  we  shall 


OBSERVATIONS  ON  THE  RESOLVES  OF  CONGRESS. 


245 


now  proceed  to  examine  the  evidence  accompanying  it ;  and  we 
trust  it  will  be  found  insufficient  to  prove  any  offence  against  the 
Society  in  general,  or  us  in  particular.  But  before  we  proceed,  it 
is  worthy  of  notice,  that  in  order  to  fix  the  work  of  a  printer  upon 
the  Society,  the  [)ublishers  have  transposed  the  papers  out  of  the 
order  of  time  in  which  they  were  originally  given  forth.  The 
epistle  dated  the  5th  day  of  the  1st  month,  1775,  was  published 
without  its  knowledge,  in  a  New  York  paper,  with  a  preface 
affixed  by  the  printer,  and  with  a  design  to  make  the  sentiments 
therein  expressed,  appear  as  a  work  of  the  Society  ;  the  testi- 
mony dated  the  24th  day  of  the  same  month  is  first  inserted,  and 
the  epistle  of  a  prior  date,  with  that  preface,  follows.  By  thus 
artfully  introducing  it  between  two  of  their  papers,  the  unwary 
are  induced  to  believe  it  was  a  performance  of  the  Society. 
We  just  hint  at  this  matter  to  show  what  unfair  means  are 
used  to  excite  unjust  prejudices ;  and  now  return  to  the  papers. 

The  subject-matter  of  the  first  three  are  a  declaration  of  our 
Christian  principles,  and  an  earnest  exhortation  to  the  members 
of  our  Society  to  avoid  entering  into  any  measures  then  carry- 
ing on  for  obtaining  a  redress  of  grievances,  tending  to  lead 
them  into  warlike  preparations,  which  are  so  opposite  to  the 
basis  on  which  our  religious  system  is  founded,  that  the  one 
cannot  exist  with  the  other.  To  persons  who  are  acquainted 
with  us,  and  our  testimony  against  all  wars  and  fightings,  this 
cannot  appear  strange  ;  nor  will  any,  when  they  are  informed 
that  we  have  invariably  professed  these  principles  to  the  world 
for  more  than  a  century,  be  surprised  that  the  representatives 
of  our  Society  should  endeavour  to  caution  our  members 
against  a  conduct  inconsistent  with  their  profession  ;  and  al- 
though these  papers  are  calculated  to  discourage  the  unwary 
from  being  led  into  such  inconsistencies,  yet  there  is  no  sen- 
tence in  them  that  could  justly  give  offence  to  other  Christian 
professors,  who  are  not  united  with  us  in  this  respect.  The 
clauses  distinguished  by  italic  characters,  are  far  exceeded  in 
expressions  of  attachment  to  the  king  and  constitution  of  Great 
Britain  by  what  the  Congress  themselves  have  declared  in 


246 


EXILES  FROM  PENNSYLVANIA. 


divers  of  their  publications,  even  of  later  date  than  some  of 
these,  some  instances  of  which  we  here  subjoin. 

DECLARATION  OF  CONGRESS  TO  THE  PEOPLE,  DATED  JULY  6tH,  1775. 

"  Our  forefathers,  inhabitants  of  Great  Britain,  left  their 
native  land  to  seek  on  these  shores  a  residence  for  civil  and 
religious  freedom,  at  the  expense  of  their  blood,  at  the  hazard 
of  their  fortunes,  without  the  least  charge  to  the  country  from 
whence  they  removed. 

"  Lest  this  declaration  should  disquiet  the  minds  of  our 
friends  and  fellow-subjects  in  any  part  of  the  empire,  we  assure 
them  that  we  mean  not  to  dissolve  that  union  irhich  has  so  long 
and  so  happily  subsisted  between  us,  and  which  ue  sincerely 
wish  to  see  restored." 

ADDRESS  OF  CONGRESS  TO  THE  KING,  JULY  8tH,  1775. 

"  Attached  to  your  Majesty's  person,  family,  and  govern- 
ment, with  all  the  devotion  that  principle  and  affection  can  in- 
spire, connected  with  Great  Britain  by  the  strongest  ties  that 
can  unite  societies,  and  deploring  every  event  that  tends  in  any 
degree  to  weaken  them,  w-e  solemnly  assure  your  Majesty  that 
we  not  only  most  ardently  desire  the  former  harmony  between 
her  and  these  Colonies  may  be  restored,  but  that  a  concord 
may  be  established  between  them  upon  so  firm  a  basis  as  to 
perpetuate  its  blessings  uninterrupted  by  any  future  dissensions, 
to  succeeding  generations  in  both  countries,  and  to  transmit 
your  Majesty's  name  to  posterity  adorned  with  that  signal  and 
lasting  glory  that  hath  attended  the  memory  of  those  illustrious 
personages  whose  virtues  and  abilities  have  extricated  states 
from  dangerous  convulsions,  and  by  securing  happiness  to 
others,  have  erected  the  most  noble  and  durable  monuments  to 
their  own  fame." 

From  these  quotations  it  is  evident,  that  if  the  professions  of 


OBSERVATIONS  ON  THE  RESOLVES  OF  CONGRESS. 


247 


attachment  to  the  British  government  contained  in  the  papers 
in  question  were  criminal,  the  Congress  were  not  less  guilty 
than  the  authors  of  the  papers. 

The  fourth  paper  is  that  st^'led  in  the  minutes  of  Congress  a 
seditious  publication,  and  upon  a  careful  revisal  of  it,  we  think 
it  strange  that  men  of  common  sense  should  so  far  misunder- 
stand it  as  to  give  it  that  epithet.  It  begins  with  an  affectionate 
salutation  "  To  our  friends  and  brethren  in  religious  profession," 
to  whom  only  it  is  directed,  and  exhorts  them  to  a  reliance  on 
Him  who  has  promised  to  be  with  his  faithful  followers  always 
even  to  the  end  of  the  world ;  it  cites  a  text  from  the  New 
Testament,  encouraging  them  to  bear  with  patience  the  suffer- 
ings they  may  have  to  undergo ;  it  recites  a  passage  of  an 
epistle  from  our  ancient  friend  George  Fox,  dated  in  the  year 
1685,  reminding  them  "that  by  keeping  in  the  Lord's  power, 
and  peaceable  truth,  which  is  over  all,  and  therein  seeking  the 
good  of  all,  neither  outward  sufferings,  persecutions  nor  any 
outward  thing,  which  is  below,  will  hinder  or  break  their 
heavenly  fellowship  in  the  light  and  spirit  of  Christ,"  from 
whence  it  infers  "  that  we  may  with  Christian  firmness  and 
fortitude  withstand  and  refuse  to  submit  to  the  arbitrary  injunc- 
tions and  ordinances  of  men,  who  assume  to  themselves  the 
power  of  compelling  others,  either  in  person  or  by  assistance, 
to  join  in  carrying  on  war,  and  of  prescribing  modes  of  de- 
termining concerning  our  religious  principles,  by  imposing 
tests  not  warranted  by  the  precepts  of  Christ,  or  the  laws  of 
that  happy  Constitution  under  which  we  and  others  long  en- 
joyed tranquillity  and  peace  ;  the  remaining  three  paragraphs 
contain  nothing  but  general  though  earnest  exhortations  to  our 
members,  to  adhere  to  the  principles  they  profess ;  nor  have 
the  publishers  thought  proper  to  distinguish  any  part  of  them 
as  obnoxious.  Let  us  then  examine  if  the  former  parts  have 
any  tincture  of  sedition  in  them.  And  we  have  no  doubt  but 
a  statement  of  a  few  facts,  well  known  at  that  time  in  Penn- 
sylvania and  New  Jersey,  will  be  sufficient  to  explain  and  show 
the  expediency  of  them. 


248 


EXILES  FROM  PENNSYLVANIA. 


About  the  time  this  epistle  was  sent  forth,  some  instances 
happened  of  persons  of  our  Society  being  seized  when  on  their 
lairfiil  businrss,  without  even  the  colour  of  law  to  authorize  it, 
and  confined,  for  refusing  to  bear  arms  or  find  substitutes  in 
their  room  ;  and  from  others,  tests  not  warranted  by  any  laic, 
were  attempted  to  be  extorted  by  military  officers.  These 
arbitrary  proceedings  led  the  meeting  to  consider  that  the 
youth  and  the  unwary  might  be  intimidated  into  a  departure 
from  those  principles  in  which  they  had  been  educated,  and 
which  they  professed.  To  prevent  which  they  thought  it  their 
duty  to  give  forth  their  brotherly  caution  and  advice  ;  nor  can 
any  who  are  willing  to  allow  liberty  of  conscience  to  the 
Society,  condemn  them.  It  should  here  be  observed,  that  all 
these  papers  were  printed  and  openly  dispersed  among  our 
members,  and  some  of  them  were  sent  to  the  members  of  Con- 
gress then  in  Philadelphia,  before  they  appeared  abroad.  Had 
they  contained  any  thing  seditious  or  unwarrantable,  why  was 
not  a  disapprobation  of  them  then  expressed  ?  Why  was  the 
censure  of  them  deferred  until  near  nine  months  after  the  date 
of  the  last  of  them  ?  But  when  the  subject  of  this  epistle  is 
duly  considered,  it  must  evidently  nppear  to  be  intended  to  dis- 
courage the  members  of  our  Society  from  bearing  arms  in  all 
cases  whatsoever.  How  then  can  men  professing  candour 
apply  it  to  any  particular  case,  and  interpret  it  as  a  seditious 
publication,  evidencing  that  the  authors  were  with  much  rancour 
and  bitterness  disaffected  to  the  cause  of  America  1 

"The  happy  Constitution  under  which  we  and  others  have 
long  enjoyed  tranquillity  and  peace,"  are  words  which,  we  un- 
derstand, have  given  offence  to  some  of  those  who  have  been 
engaged  in  forming  a  new  one ;  they  have  thought  it  derogatory 
to  their  skill  as  legislators,  that  a  work  which  they  had  rejected, 
should  be  spoken  of  with  so  much  respect.  But  we  who  have 
known  the  happiness  enjoyed  in  Pennsylvania  under  the  mild 
administration  of  so  wholesome  a  form  of  government,  cannot 
but  express  our  regret  that  it  was  so  little  esteemed  as  to  be 
wholly  set  at  nought.    It  was  formed  by  a  man,  who  as  a 


OBSERVATIONS  ON  THE  RESOLVES  OF  CONGRESS, 


249 


worthy  ancient  of  our  Society,  and  a  wise  legislator,  stands 
as  high  in  the  page  of  history  as  any  of  his  coternporaries ; 
in  framing  it,  he  consulted  with  a  number  of  our  ancestors 
who  held  the  same  noble  principles  with  himself,  and  adapted 
it  so  wisely  to  the  purposes  of  a  free  government,  that  the 
learned  Montesquieu,  in  his  Spirit  of  Laws,  bears  this  testimony 
in  favour  of  him  and  his  work  :*  "  A  character  so  extra- 
ordinary in  the  institutions  of  Greece,  has  shown  itself  lately 
in  the  dregs  and  corruptions  of  modern  times.  A  very  honest 
legislator  has  formed  a  people  to  whom  probity  seems  as 
natural  as  bravery  to  the  Spartans.  William  Penn  is  a  real 
Lycurgus ;  and  though  the  former  made  peace  his  principal 
aim,  as  the  latter  did  war,  yet  they  resemble  one  another  in  the 
singular  way  of  living  to  which  they  reduced  their  people ;  in 
the  ascendency  they  had  over  freemen  ;  in  the  prejudices  which 
they  overcame;  and  in  the  passions  which  they  subdued." 

The  experience  of  near  an  hundred  years  has  evinced  the 
truth  of  this  learned  man's  observation  ;  and  it  was  but  a  just 
tribute  to  the  memory  of  the  honourable  founder,  to  notice 
the  happiness  enjoyed  under  the  "  generous  plan  of  liberty" 
handed  down  from  hiin.  And  when  it  is  considered  that  under 
his  constitution,  no  superiority  was  allowed  to  one  religious 
society  over  another,  but  all  were  put  on  the  footing  of  brethren 
entitled  to  an  equal  share  of  that  liberty  u-hich  is  the  sift  of 
Heaven — that  no  persecution  was  ever  waged  by  an}'  persons 
exercising  power  under  it,  and  that  as  soon  as  it  was  over- 
turned and  a  new  form  introduced,  a  spirit  of  persecution  icas 
raised,  that  threatened  our  Society,  the  descendants  of  the  first 
settlers,  with  the  loss  of  their  religious  liberty,  which  their 
ancestors  had  purchased  at  so  dear  a  rate, — and  that 
actually  began  to  hold  cognizance  over  our  consciences, 
— it  cannot,  therefore,  be  matter  of  wonder  that  such  expres- 
sions were  used  in  the  epistle  referred  to ;  and  we  believe  a 
great  majority  of  the  people  of  Pennsylvania  concur  in  our 
opinion. 

*  Vol.  i.  page  51. 


250 


EXILES  PROM  PENNSYLVANIA. 


Upon  the  whole,  this  epistle  is  couched  in  terms  so  full  of 
Christian  charity,  that  we  cannot,  as  we  before  observed,  but 
be  surprised  that  such  invidious  reflections  should  be  cast  upon 
it.  We  have  been  the  longer  in  our  observations  on  this  paper, 
because  it  has  been  the  pretext  for  much  calumny  and  abuse 
of  the  Society. 

Although  this  epistle  was  never  inserted  in  any  of  the  public 
papers  with  the  privity  of  the  meeting,  yet  illiberal  censures 
have  been  cast  upon  it  for  republishing  it,  and  it  has  been 
represented  to  be  done  with  a  view  "  to  discourage  the  militia  of 
Pennsylvania  from  marching  at  a  time  of  danger."  This  is 
another  instance  of  the  uncandid  construction  put  upon  the 
acts  of  the  Society. 

The  Assembly  of  Pennsylvania  prepared  a  bill  fost  spring, 
to  compel  all  persons  under  particular  circumstances  to  sub- 
scribe a  test,  and  published  it  for  the  consideration  of  the 
people  at  large ;  this,  together  with  the  reasons  that  subsisted 
at  the  time  of  first  issuing  the  epistle,  was  thought  a  sufficient 
cause  for  reviving  it,  by  directing  it  to  be  again  read  in  some 
of  our  religious  meetings :  whatever  other  publication  of  it  was 
made,  was  not  with  the  concurrence  of  the  Society;  and  indeed 
if  such  revisal  was  in  reality  so  improper  at  that  time,  how 
is  it  to  be  accounted  for,  that  it  should  again  be  published  by 
authority  of  Congress,  who  now  so  freely  condemn  it,  at  a  time 
much  more  critical  than  either  of  the  former — namely,  at  the 
late  approach  of  the  British  army  to  Philadelphia?  But  men 
are  often  insensible  of  absurdities  when  they  occur  in  a  favour- 
ite pursuit ! 

We  come  now  to  the  minutes  of  the  several  monthly  and 
quarterly  meetings,  which  were  illegally  forced  out  of  the  hands 
of  the  clerks,  by  virtue  of  a  general  warrant,  with  a  design  to 
furnish  evidence  against  us.  But  whatever  effect  might  have 
been  expected  from  them,  they  will  be  found  wholly  void  of 
offence.  And  here  it  may  be  proper  for  the  information  of 
such  as  are  unacquainted  with  our  method  of  transacting 
business,  to  observe,  that  at  the  time  our  ancestors  sepa- 


OBSERVATIONS  ON  THE  RESOLVES  OF  CONGRESS. 


251 


rated  themselves  from  other  religious  societies,  and  formed 
themselves  into  a  body,  divers  laws  subsisted,  with  which  they 
conceived  it  their  religious  duty  not  actively  to  comply;  they 
were  of  course  subjected  to  forfeitures  and  penalties  which,  by 
the  defect  of  the  laws  in  not  guarding  against  the  malice  of 
their  persecutors  in  making  excessive  distresses,  were  so  heavy 
upon  many,  as  to  impoverish  and  ruin  them.  It  became  the 
concern  of  their  brethren  to  relieve  and  assist  such  as  well  by 
counsel  as  by  supplying  their  necessary  wants;  for  this  pur- 
pose a  committee  of  the  Society  was  appointed  by  the  name  of 
the  Meeting  for  Sufferings,  which  has  been  continually  kept  up 
in  London  for  Great  Britain,  Ireland,  &c. 

To  this  meeting  the  inferior  meetings  send  an  account  of  all  the 
sufferings  in  support  of  our  testimony,  from  time  to  time.  When 
our  forefathers  settled  in  America,  they  established,  as  occasion 
required,  the  same  Christian  discipline  for  the  well  ordering  of 
the  affairs  of  the  Society,  as  had  been  used  and  approved  in 
England  ;  and  among  others  a  Meeting  for  Sufferings  was 
appointed,  and  has  been  kept  up  for  many  years  at  Philadelphia, 
for  Pennsylvania  and  New  Jersey  ;  and  in  the  course  of  their 
proceedings,  the  minutes  now  published  were  sent  from  the 
several  monthly  to  the  quarterly  meetings,  in  order  to  be  by  them 
forwarded  to  the  Meeting  for  Sufferings,  that  through  it  the 
Yearly  Meeting  might  be  informed  of  the  state  of  the  Society, 
and  of  the  trespass  upon  the  sufferers.  Nor  is  this  new  among 
us,  or  calculated  for  the  present  occasion,  but  the  constant, 
uniform  practice  of  our  Society.  As  to  the  matter  of  those 
minutes — it  is  a  plain  narrative  of  facts,  incontestably  true,  and 
notorious  in  the  places  where  they  happened.  Nor  is  the 
manner  of  them  exceptionable,  as  all  the  expressions  are  true 
in  themselves,  and  descriptive  of  the  several  matters  alluded  to. 

We  are  now  to  take  notice  of  the  papers  said  to  be  found 
among  the  prisoners'  baggage  on  Staten  Island;  and  we  re- 
gret that  our  justification  requires  us  to  use  language,  which 
in  other  circumstances  we  would  wish  to  avoid.  We  do, 
however,  with  a  firm  confidence  undertake  to  say,  that  so 


252 


EXILES  FROM  PENNSYLVANIA. 


much  of  those  papers  as  imports  that  the  intelligence  there 
mentioned  was  given  from  a  meeting  of  our  Society,  is  a  direct 
falsehood  and  forgery ;  and  although  we  have  never  yet  seen 
the  original  papers,  nor  heard  of  the  circumstances  attending 
the  finding  of  them,  so  as  to  enable  us  to  search  for  proof  in 
vindication  of  our  brethren  in  that  part  of  the  country,  or  to 
discover  the  marks  of  deceit  which  generally  accompany 
counterfeits,  yet  we  trust  sufficient  evidence  appears  upon  the 
face  of  the  publication  to  warrant  our  assertion. 

General  Sullivan,  in  his  letter  to  Congress,  dated  Hanover, 
25th  August,  1777,  speaks  of  "one  from  the  Yearly  Meeting  of 
Spanktown,"  but  whether  it  was  intended  that  the  whole  of 
what  follows  should  be  considered  in  that  light,  or  only  those 
six  lines  entitled  "  Intelligence  from  Jersey,  19th  August, 
1777,"  and  subscribed,  "  Spanktown  Yearly  Meeting,"  we 
cannot  determine ;  but  will  show  that  no  part  is  chargeable  on 
any  of  our  members ;  and  in  order  to  arrive  at  the  greater 
precision,  we  shall  speak  of  the  three  articles  separately. 

The  first  consists  of  eight  questions,  which  at  first  view  are 
found  to  be  such  as  must  come  from  persons  seeking  intelli- 
gence, and  not  from  those  who  were  to  give  it.  We  may 
therefore  safely  conclude  that  this  was  not  the  work  of  any  of 
our  members,  but  merely  a  set  of  instructions  to  the  officers  of 
the  British  army,  to  direct  their  inquiries  in  case  they  should 
meet  with  persons  capable  of  giving  information. 

The  second  is  the  paper  said  to  come  from  Spanktown 
Yearly  Meeting;  and  indeed  it  is  unfavourable  for  the  contriver 
of  this  piece  of  business,  that  he  had  not  obtained  better  in- 
formation concerning  our  meetings  in  those  parts,  and  attended 
a  little  more  to  the  dates  of  events ;  and  it  is  happy  for  us,  de- 
prived as  we  are  of  all  opportunity  of  clearing  up  the  matter 
by  other  evidence,  that  he  has  put  into  his  composition  several 
things  rchich  ivholly  destroy  its  credit. 

And  first,  it  is  highly  improbable  that  any  body  of  people 
would  subscribe  a  paper  containing  intelligence  which,  if  de- 


OBSERVATIONS  ON  THE  RESOLVES  OF  CONGRESS. 


253 


lecled,  would  endanger  their  lives.  Persons  concerned  in  such 
dangerous  transactions  always  avoid  describing  themselves  in 
such  a  manner  as  to  be  known  to  the  opposite  party,  in  case 
their  correspondence  should  be  intercepted  ;  and  the  members 
of  any  meeting  must  be  supposed  to  be  idiots  before  such  con- 
duct could  be  believed  of  them.  Besides,  the  constant  practice 
of  all  our  meetings  every  where,  is  that  no  paper  issues  from 
them  without  the  signature  of  the  clerk,  or  some  other  persons 
in  their  behalf,  as  all  the  genuine  papers  published  by  order  of 
Congress,  show. 

Secondly. — There  is  not,  and  never  has  been,  a  yearly  meet- 
ing of  our  Society  held  at  Spanktown,  as  the  inventor  of  this 
affair  might  have  known  had  he  made  the  least  inquiry.  It  is 
true  that  a  quarterly  meeting  is  held  at  Rah  way,  part  of  which 
place,  we  understand,  is  known  by  the  nickname  of  Spank- 
town, but  never  so  called  in  any  of  our  proceedings.  The 
paper  published  immediately  before  the  extract  of  General  Sul- 
livan's letter,  shows  the  manner  in  which  that  meeting  is  styled 
by  the  Society,  to  wit,  "  our  quarterly  meeting,  held  in  Rah- 
way."  This  meeting  was  held  and  finished  on  the  18th  day  of 
that  month,  and  we  are  assured  by  one  of  our  company  now 
confined  at  Winchester,  who  attended  it,  at  every  sitting  from 
beginning  to  end,  that  no  paper,  or  intelligence  of  any  public 
nature,  kind,  or  tendency  whatsoever,  was  made  therein. 

But  lastly,  the  author  of  this  counterfeited  paper,  besides  his 
want  of  knowledge  of  the  meetings,  the  times  at  which  they 
are  held,  and  the  names  by  which  they  are  called,  has  been 
guilty  of  an  oversight  in  the  date  of  his  intelligence,  equally 
fatal  to  the  credibility  of  his  work.  He  makes  his  newly  con- 
stituted Yearly  Meeting  at  Spanktown  say,  "  It  is  said  General 
Howe  landed  near  the  head  of  Chesapeake  Bay,  but  cannot 
learn  the  particular  spot,  nor  when."  He  dates  this  the  19tk 
day  of  August.  From  the  public  papers  we  find  that  the  fleet 
containing  General  Howe's  army  was  on  that  day,  at  or  near 
the  mouth  of  Chesapeake  Bay,  and  that  it  did  not  arrive  at 


254 


EXILES  FROM  PENNSYLVANIA. 


Turkey  Point,  near  the  head  of  it,  till  the  22cl,  of  which  the 
earliest  intelligence  was  brought  to  Philadelphia  on  the  23d, 
and  might  have  reached  Spanktown  and  Hanover  on  the  24th 
or  25th  ;  before  which  time  the  paper  in  question  could  not 
have  received  its  present  form.  How  then  can  it  be  true  that 
it  was  framed  at  Spanktown  on  the  19th,  as  itself  imports,  or 
that  it  was  found  on  Staten  Island  on  the  22d,  as  General  Sul- 
livan has  asserted! ! 

We  submit  these  facts  to  the  consideration  of  the  public,  not 
doubtivg  but  they  will  acquit  our  Society  of  being  the  authors 
of  it,  whatever  opinions  they  may  entertain  of  any  others. 

The  third  article  is  a  letter  dated  Sunday,  July  28th,  1777; 
but  as  it  is  not  even  insinuated  to  be  written  by  any  of  our 
members,  and  carries  in  its  date  a  style  not  used  by  our 
Society,  it  is  unnecessary  to  observe  further  upon  it,  than  that 
although  it  is  of  a  much  earlier  date  than  the  preceding  one, 
it  is  here  transposed  (as  was  done  in  a  former  instance),  in 
order  that  it  might  pass  with  the  unthinking  for  a  work  of  the 
pretended  Spanktown  Yearly  Meeting. 

These  observations,  we  think,  are  sufficient  to  show  that 
nothing  contained  in  our  "  several  testimonies"  supports  the 
charge  exhibited  against  our  Society ;  but  on  the  contrary, 
that  the  welfare  of  mankind,  and  extending  the  glad  tidings  of 
peace  on  earth,  and  good  will  to  men,  was  the  only  aim  of  the 
authors  of  those  papers.  And  with  respect  to  our  conduct  and 
conversation,  we  need  say  no  more  than  that  our  characters 
have  been  such  as  to  be  proof  against  the  general  calumny  of 
any  body  of  people  whatever,  and  will  remain  so  until  evidence 
supplies  the  place  of  assertion. 

Before  we  conclude,  it  will  be  proper  to  observe  upon  another 
circumstance,  which  fully  shows  that  our  persecutors  were 
satisfied  of  our  innocence  before  they  executed  their  unjust 
sentence  upon  us,  although  they  had  not  the  candour  to  ac- 
knowledge their  error  by  doing  us  justice. 

It  appears  by  the  resolves  of  the  Congress  and  Council, 
dated  the  5th  of  September,  that  both  those  bodies,  after  all 


OBSERVATIONS  ON  THE  RESOLVES  OF  CONGRESS.  255 


the  fears  and  jealousies  they  had  expressed,  were  willing  to 
enlarge  us,  if  we  would  have  "  sworn  or  affirmed  allegiance 
to  the  State  of  Pennsylvania."  This  was  a  direct  relinquish- 
ment of  all  the  charges  exhibited  against  us,  and  from  that 
moment  we  stood  in  no  other  point  of  view  than  offenders 
against  the  Act  of  Assembly  commonly  called  the  Test  Law ; 
if  by  that  law  we  were  not  compellable  to  subscribe  the  test, 
then  have  the  Council  punished  us  without  any  other  authority 
than  their  own  arbitrary  will,  and  they  might  with  equal  jus- 
tice have  apprehended  and  sent  from  their  families,  every  in- 
habitant who  had  declined  taking  it 

As  we  declined  accepting  our  liberty  on  those  terms,  it  may 
not  be  improper  to  consider  the  nature  of  tests  in  general,  and 
show  that  our  refusal  to  take  those  offered  to  us,  was  not  a 
breach  of  the  law,  nor  punishable  in  any  manner  whatever. 

That  no  government  ever  derived  stability  fi'om  tests  im- 
posed on  the  people  at  large,  is  a  fact  notorious  to  every  person 
conversant  in  history.  If  the  constitution  and  the  administra- 
tion of  justice  be  such,  that  the  inhabitants  derive  the  blessings 
of  liberty  from  it,  their  common  interest  in  supporting  it,  forms 
the  surest  obligation ;  if  it  be  otherwise,  men  of  ambition  who 
have  interested  views,  by  oppressing  the  people,  are  the  only 
persons  who  would  propose  to  continue  it  by  enforcing  them 
under  the  dread  of  perjury,  to  submit  to  arbitrary  laws. 

Designing  men  have  never  failed  to  cloak  their  ambition 
under  specious  appearances;  they  are  ingenious  at  forming 
plausible  pretexts  for  withdrawing  their  allegiance  from  the 
sovereign  or  state  to  whom  they  have  sworn  it,  nor  can  an  in- 
stance be  found  of  oaths  preventing  a  revolution.  The  alle- 
giance sworn  by  the  Long  Parliament  to  Charles  the  First,  did 
not  hinder  them  from  bringing  him  to  the  scaffold — nor  the 
tests  taken  by  General  Monk  and  his  army  to  the  Common- 
wealth of  England,  prevent  them  from  restoring  Charles  the 
Second  to  the  crown. — They  are  in  fact  nothing  more  than  an 
engine  to  oppress  the  more  virtuous  part  of  the  people.  Wit- 
ness the  use  made  of  them  during  the  days  of  Cromwell,  and 


256 


EXILES  FROM  PENNSYLVANIA. 


for  some  years  after  the  Restoration.  Many  of  the  peaceable 
conscientious  inhabitants  were  grievously  persecuted  for  re- 
fusing them,  while  those,  to  check  whom  they  were  principally 
intended,  took  them  and  observed  them  no  longer  than  it  suited 
their  views.  During  that  unhappy  contest  we  find  abundant 
reason  to  reject  the  use  of  tests.  The  same  persons  for  the 
sake  of  the  places  they  held  or  coveted  to  hold,  were  induced 
to  swear  and  recant  many  direct  contradictions  in  the  course 
of  a  few  years,  to  the  great  dishonour  of  religion,  and  the 
weakening  the  force  of  every  moral  obligation. 

Every  conscientious  man  when  he  submits  to  the  solemnity 
of  an  oath  or  affirmation,  means  to  perform  it  in  the  fullest 
sense;  but  how  can  any  man  who  takes  a  test  to  either  of  the 
contending  parties,  be  sure  in  the  present  unsettled  state  of 
affairs,  that  he  can  hold  his  integrity  a  single  week  1  The  face 
of  things  may  in  a  few  days  be  changed,  and  by  the  events  of 
war  he  may  fall  into  the  hands  of  the  opposite  party,  and  be 
tempted  for  the  safety  of  his  property,  his  life,  or  his  family,  to 
do  some  act  in  violation  of  his  solemn  engagement  to  the  great 
injury  of  his  conscience  ;  nor  will  the  common  excuse  of  force 
serve  him  in  the  hour  of  reflection  as  a  palliation,  for  the  mind 
not  being  subject  to  compulsion  receives  a  lasting  wound 
wherever  it  assents  to  any  evil  for  the  ease  of  the  body. 

Nor  is  it  a  practice  among  nations  at  war,  to  compel  the 
peaceable  inhabitants  of  an  invaded  country  to  swear  fidelity 
until  by  the  ratification  of  peace  it  is  confirmed  to  the  con- 
queror; and  if  there  be  some  instances  to  the  contrary,  they 
have  been  condemned  by  all  writers  of  liberal  sentiments. 

If  it  be  objected  that  in  times  of  difficulty  it  is  necessary  to 
bind  suspected  persons  by  an  oath  or  affirmation  of  fidelity,  we 
answer  that  some  cause  of  suspicion  should  be  proved  against 
a  man  before  he  is  publicly  stigmatized,  and  if  upon  a  hearing 
he  cannot  clear  up  the  suspicions,  it  is  then  lime  enough  to  call 
for  surety  for  his  good  behaviour. 

These  observations,  we  hope,  will  be  sufficient  to  convince 
the  candid  that  general  tests  are  inconsistent  with  true  liberty, 


OBSERVATIONS  ON  THE  RESOLVES  OF  CONGRESS. 


257 


unnecessary  in  the  present  situation  of  Anaerica,  and  subversive 
of  the  morality  of  the  inhabitants. 

But  if  in  any  circumstances  it  be  necessary  for  the  Legisla- 
ture to  enact  a  general  test  law,  such  test  can  never  authorize 
the  executive  powers  to  inflict  heavy  punishments  on  those 
who  have  never  committed  any  breach  of  it. 

The  power  of  the  Council  of  Pennsylvania  in  a  business  of 
this  nature,  is  nothing  more  than  that  of  justices  of  the  peace, 
which  is  given  to  them  as  counsellors  by  the  Declaration  of 
Rights.  This  power  could  neither  be  enlarged  nor  abridged  by 
the  recommendations  of  Congress.  We  must  therefore  con- 
sider the  Council  as  acting  in  that  capacity.  And  a  bare 
perusal  of  the  test  law  is  sufficient  to  show  that  no  justice  had 
power  to  tender  it  to  men  who  quietly  stayed  in  the  county 
where  they  usually  resided  ;  and  as  none  of  us  were  found  be- 
yond the  limits  prescribed,  we  never  could  be  considered  as 
liable  to  the  penalties  of  refusing  it ;  and  even  if  we  were,  the 
measure  of  the  punishment  has  been  exceeded  an  hundred  fold. 
With  what  face  then  can  any  set  of  men  pretend  to  assert  the 
cause  of  liberty  who  are  found  in  so  flagrant  a  violation  of  its 
most  essential  parts?  What  security  can  the  inhabitants  of 
Pennsylvania  have  for  the  enjoyment  of  their  unalienable  rights 
under  governors  who  have  thus  publicly  substituted  their  own 
arbitrary  will  in  the  place  of  their  own  positive  law. 

Thus,  we  apprehend,  we  have  fully  answered  and  refuted  every 
charge  and  suspicion  that  has  been  published  against  us,  and 
have  shown  that  the  proceedings  of  the  Council  of  Pennsylvania 
founded  upon  the  recommendation  of  the  Congress,  have  been 
a  violent  exertion  of  power  against  right.  And  we  cannot  but 
be  sorry  that  the  Congress  should  have  given  rise  to  such  a 
course  of  conduct,  and  in  the  progress  of  it,  have  counte- 
nanced it. 

They  listened  to  insinuations  without  any  just  ground,  the 
authors  of  which  were  concealed — they  censured  a  whole 
religious  Society  with  which  they  were  very  little  acquainted — 
they  condemned  a  number  of  innocent  individuals  of  that 

17 


258 


EXILES  FROM  PENNSYLVANIA. 


Society  upon  the  general  charge  of  their  conduct  and  conver- 
sation, without  hearing  them  in  their  defence — they  caused  the 
Council  to  apprehend  them  and  many  others,  and  consented  to 
their  banishment  to  a  distant  country  before  any  legal  convic- 
tion— and  published  to  the  world  the  groundless  suspicions  and 
falsehoods  by  which  themselves  had  been  misled,  in  order  to 
excite  prejudices  against  others. 

When  a  number  of  us  whom  they  had  accused  and  con- 
demned, applied  to  Congress  for  a  hearing,  they  left  it  to  the 
option  of  the  Council  to  grant  it  or  not  at  their  pleasure,  and 
recommended  such  a  hearing  as  is  not  known  in  any  free 
country,  to  wit,  to  hear  what  we  could  allege  to  "  remove  their 
suspicions ;"  thus  instead  of  a  fixed  charge  being  supported 
against  us,  the  burthen  of  proving  negatives  was  to  be  thrown 
upon  us.  And  when  the  Council  refused  even  such  a  hearing. 
Congress,  who  profess  to  be  the  guardians  of  American  freedom, 
suffered  the  Council  to  send  us  away  from  our  families  at  a 
time  when  the  noise  of  armies  engaged  iri  battle  approaching 
the  city,  was  heard  within  the  walls  of  our  habitations,  when 
our  tender  wives  and  helpless  children  required  a  double  por- 
tion of  care  and  attention  from  us. 

Had  we  been  allowed  to  defend  ourselves  before  an  impartial 
tribunal,  as  every  man  who  boasts  the  rank  of  a  freeman  is 
entitled  to  when  his  character  is  called  in  question,  we  should 
not  now  have  had  occasion  to  trouble  the  public  with  a  written 
defence,  which  we  have  endeavoured  to  make  as  concise  as 
the  nature  of  our  case  would  admit ;  and  we  trust  that  our  at- 
tempt to  vindicate  ourselves  as  individuals  and  as  a  religious 
Society,  who  have  ever  been  generally  reputed  useful  members 
of  the  community,  will  not  be  unacceptable  to  those  who  wish 
to  know  the  truth  and  judge  for  themselves. 


APPENDIX. 


EXTRACTS  FROM  THE  JOURNALS  OF  THE  CONGRESS  OF  THE  UNITED 
STATES,  IN  THE  YEARS  1777,  1778;  AND  FROM  THE  MINUTES  OF 
THE  SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL  OF  THE  COMMONWEALTH  OF 
PENNSYLVANIA,  FROM  THE  4tH  OF  MARCH,  1777,  TO  THE  28tH  OF 
JUNE,  1779  ;  INCLUDING  THE  MINUTES  OF  THE  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 

(Dunlap's  Edition.) 

JOURNAL  OF  CONGRESS. 

Monday,  August  25th,  1777. 

Whereas  the  States  of  Pennsylvania  and  Delaw^are  are 
threatened  with  an  immediate  invasion  from  a  powerful  army, 
who  have  already  landed  at  the  head  of  Chesapeake  Bay ;  and 
whereas  the  principles  of  policy  and  self-preservation  require 
that  all  persons  who  may  reasonably  be  suspected  of  aiding 
or  abetting  the  cause  of  the  enemy,  may  be  prevented  from 
pursuing  measures  injurious  to  the  general  weal : 

Resolved,  That  the  executive  authorities  of  the  States  of 
Pennsylvania  and  Delaware,  be  requested  to  cause  all  persons 
within  their  respective  states,  notoriously  disaffected,  forthwith 
to  be  apprehended,  disarmed,  and  secured,  till  such  time  as  the 
respective  states  think  they  may  be  released  without  injury  to 
the  common  cause. 

Resolved,  That  it  be  recommended  to  the  Supreme  Execu- 
tive Council  of  the  State  of  Pennsylvania,  to  cause  a  diligent 
search  to  be  made  in  the  houses  of  all  the  inhabitants  of  the 
city  of  Philadelphia,  who  have  not  manifested  their  attach- 
ment to  the  American  cause,  for  firearms,  swords  and  bayonets ; 


260 


EXILES  FROM  PENNSYLVANIA. 


that  the  owners  of  the  arms  so  found  be  paid  for  them  at  an 
appraised  value,  and  that  they  be  delivered  to  such  of  the 
militia  of  the  State  of  Pennsylvania  who  are  at  present  un- 
armed and  have  been  called  into  the  field. 


MINUTES  OF  THE  SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL  OF  THE 
COMMONWEALTH  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

Wednesday,  August  27th,  1777. 

Present,  His  Excellency,  Thomas  Wharton,  Esq.,  President, 
Honourable  George  Bryan,  Vice-President,  John  Baily,  Esq., 
Jonathan  Hodge,  Esq.,  and  John  Proctor,  Esq. 

(N.B.  The  members  not  in  attendance  were  John  Hart, 
Jacob  Morgan,  John  Hambright,  Thomas  Urie,  Thomas  Scott, 
James  Edgar,  John  Evans,  in  all  twelve  members.) 

Timothy  Matlack, 

Secretary. 

The  Congress  by  a  resolve  of  yesterday,  founded  on  evident 
necessity,  and  sound  policy. 

Resolved,  That  the  colonel  or  commanding  officer  of  each 
regiment  of  the  city  militia,  do  appoint  one  or  more  officers, 
and  a  sufficient  number  of  men  in  each  ward,  who  shall  search 
the  houses  of  all  such  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  city  of  Phila- 
delphia, who  have  not  manifested  their  attachment  to  the 
American  cause,  for  firearms,  &c. 

And  another  resolve  of  Congress,  of  the  same  date,  "  re- 
questing this  state  to  cause  all  persons  within  the  same,  noto- 
riously disaffected,  forthwith  to  be  apprehended,  disarmed,  and 
secured,  till  such  time  as  the  state  shall  think  they  may  be  re- 
leased without  injury  to  the  common  cause,"  the  same  was  re- 
ferred to  further  consideration. 


APPENDIX. 


261 


CONGRESS. 

Thursday,  August  28,  1777. 

A  letter  of  the  25th,  from  General  Sullivan,  at  Hanover,  with 
several  papers  enclosed,  also  another  from  him  without  date, 
were  read.* 

Ordered,  That  the  letter  of  the  25th,  with  the  papers  enclosed, 
be  referred  to  a  committee  of  three.  The  members  chosen, 
Mr.  J.  Adams,  Mr.  Duer,  and  Mr.  R.  H.  Lee. 

The  committee  to  whom  the  letter  of  General  Sullivan,  with 
the  papers  enclosed,  was  referred,  report : 

*'  That  the  several  testimonies  which  have  been  published 
since  the  commencement  of  the  present  contest  between  Great 
Britain  and  America,  and  the  uniform  tenor  of  the  conduct  and 
conversation  of  a  number  of  persons  of  considerable  wealth, 
who  profess  themselves  to  belong  to  the  Society  of  people  com- 
monly called  Quakers,  render  it  certain  and  notorious  that  those 
persons  are  with  much  rancour  and  bitterness  disaffected  to  the 
American  cause.  That  as  these  persons  will  have  it  in  their 
power,  so  there  is  no  doubt  it  will  be  their  inclination,  to  com- 
municate intelligence  to  the  enemy,  and  in  various  other  ways 
to  injure  the  counsels  and  arms  of  America. 

"  That  when  the  enemy,  in  the  month  of  December,  1776, 
were  bending  their  progress  towards  the  city  of  Philadelphia, 
a  certain  seditious  publication  addressed  '  To  our  friends  and 
brethren  in  religious  profession  in  these  and  the  adjacent  pro- 
vinces,' signed  John  Pemberton,  in  and  on  behalf  of  the  Meet- 
ing of  Sufferings,  held  at  Philadelphia,  for  Pennsylvania  and 
New  Jersey,  the  20th  of  the  12th  month,  1776,  was  published, 
and  as  your  committee  is  credibly  informed,  circulated  amongst 
many  members  of  the  Society  called  Quakers  through  the 
different  states. 

"  That  as  the  seditious  paper  aforesaid  originated  in  the  city 
of  Philadelphia,  and  as  the  persons  whose  names  are  under 

*  See  pages  61,  62,  63,  ante ;  and  Appendix,  page  299. 


262 


EXILES  FROM  PENNSYLVANIA. 


mentioned  have  Linifornnly  manifested  a  disposition  highly 
inimical  to  the  cause  of  America,  therefore 

"  Resolved,  That  it  be  earnestly  recommended  to  the  Supreme 
Executive  Council  of  the  State  of  Pennsylvania,  forthwith  to 
apprehend  and  secure  the  persons  of  Joshua  Fisher,  Abel  James, 
James  Pemberton,  Henry  Drinker,  Israel  Pemberton,  John 
Pemberton,  John  James,  Samuel  Pleasants,  Thomas  Wharton, 
sen.,  Thomas  Fisher,  (son  of  Joshua,)  and  Samuel  R.  Fisher, 
(son  of  Joshua,)  together  with  all  such  papers  in  their  possession 
as  may  be  of  a  political  nature. 

"  And  whereas,  there  is  strong  reason  to  apprehend  that  these 
persons  maintain  a  correspondence  and  connexion  highly  pre- 
judicial to  the  public  safety,  not  only  in  this  state,  but  in  the 
several  states  of  America, 

"  Resolved,  That  it  be  recommended  to  the  executive  powers 
of  the  respective  slates,  forthwith  to  apprehend  and  secure  all 
persons,  as  well  among  the  people  called  Quakers  as  others, 
who  have  in  their  general  conduct  and  conversation  evidenced 
a  disposition  inimical  to  the  cause  of  America ;  and  that  the 
persons  so  seized  be  confined  in  such  places  and  treated  in 
such  manner  as  shall  be  consistent  with  their  respective  cha- 
racters and  the  security  of  their  persons. 

"  That  the  records  and  papers  of  the  Meetings  of  Sufferings  in 
the  respective  slates,  be  forthwith  secured  and  carefully  ex- 
amined, and  that  such  parts  of  them  as  may  be  of  a  political 
nature  be  forthwith  transmitted  to  Congress." 

The  said  report  being  read,  and  the  several  paragraphs  con- 
sidered and  debated,  and  the  question  put  severally  thereon,  the 
same  was  agreed  to. 

COUNCIL. 

Sunday,  August  31,  1777. 

Present,  his  Excellency  Thomas  Wharton,  Esq.,  President, 
Hon.  George  Bryan,  Esq.,  Vice-President,  John  Baily,  Esq., 


APPENDIX. 


263 


Jonathan  Hodge,  Esq.,  John  Proctor,  Esq.,  and  Joseph  Ilart, 
Esq. 

Mr.  Rittenhouse,  Colonel  Bradford,  Colonel  Delany,  and 
Captain  Peale,  attended  in  consequence  of  an  invitation  from 
Council,  and  the  resolutions  of  Congress  of  the  28th  inst.  were 
comiMunicated  to  them  in  confidence,  and  their  assistance  asked 
in  forming  out  a  list  of  persons  dangerous  to  the  state,  who 
ought  to  be  arrested;  and  also,  in  forming  a  list  of  gentlemen 
proper  to  be  authorized  to  arrest  such  dangerous  persons  ;  and 
the  several  gentlemen  expressed  the  utmost  readiness  in  com- 
plying with  the  request  of  Council,  and  the  following  resolution 
was  therefore  made,  viz.:  (These  resolves  are  to  be  seen  on 
pages  71,  72,  73,  74,  ante.) 

Monday,  September  1  st. 

[Present  as  before.] 

Resolved,  That  the  following  persons  be  appointed  to  carry 
into  execution  the  resolves  of  yesterday,  respecting  the  arrest- 
ing such  persons  as  are  deemed  inimical  to  the  cause  of 
American  liberty,  viz.: 

William  Bradford,  Sharpe  Delany,  James  Claypoole,  William 
Heysham,  John  Purviance,  Joseph  Blewer,  Paul  Cox,  Adam 
Kimmel,  William  Graham,  William  Hardy,  Charles  W.  Peale, 
Captain  M'Culloch,  Nathaniel  Downel,  Robert  Smith,  William 
Carsan,  Lazarus  Pine,  Captain  Birney,  John  Downey,  John 
Galloway,  William  Thorpe,  John  Lisle,  James  Longhead, 
James  Cannon,  James  Carr,  Thomas  Bradford,  together  with 
such  other  persons  as  they  shall  call  to  their  assistance. 

Note. — That  the  foregoing  resolution  (with  those  before  re- 
lating to  this  business),  was  signed  by  the  Honourable  George 
Bryan,  Esq.,  Vice-President. 

Resolved,  That  Colonel  Nicola,  the  town  major,  do  furnish 
Colonel  Bradford,  on  application,  with  a  detachment  of  the  City 
Guards. 


264 


EXILES  FROM  PENNSYLVANIA. 


September  2d. 

Colonel  Bradford,  Paul  Cox,  and  Captain  Blewer,  informed 
the  Council,  that  among  a  number  of  other  persons  mentioned 
in  the  warrant  of  Council  of  the  31st  ult.,  Alexander  Stedman, 
Charles  Stedman,  Jr.,  and  David  Lenox,  were  apprehended  and 
confined  at  the  Freemasons'  Lodge. 

On  consideration,  ordered,  That  the  said  Alexander  Stedman, 
Charles  Stedman,  Jr.,  and  David  Lenox,  be  committed  to  the 
State  prison. 

September  3d. 

The  gentlemen  appointed  and  authorized  to  arrest  the  per- 
sons hereafter  named,  made  the  following  report,  viz.:  "Joshua 
Fisher  was  ill,  that  he  could  not  be  moved,  but  gave  his  verbal 
promise,  as  far  as  required  by  our  instructions;  no  'papers  on 
public  affairs.  Abel  James,  his  son  being  very  ill  and  no  papers 
of  a  public  nature,  we  allowed  him  to  remain  on  his  plantation, 
on  his  promising  (verbally)  to  appear  on  demand  of  the  Presi- 
dent, and  not  in  any  manner  to  speak,  write,  or  give  any  intel- 
ligence to  the  enemies  of  the  United  States  of  America.  *James 
Pemberton,  prisoner,  no  papers  found  of  a  public  nature. 
*Israel  Pemberton,  *Henry  Drinker,  prisoners,  a  number  of 
papers  found  of  a  public  nature,  belonging  to  the  monthly  meet- 
ing. *John  Pemberton,  prisoner,  a  number  of  papers  in  a 
brown  bag.  John  James,  not  to  be  found;  being  in  the  country. 
*Samuel  Pleasants,  Thomas  Wharton,  Sr.,  prisoners,  no  papers. 
Samuel  Fisher,  (son  of  Joshua,)  prisoner,  no  papers.  Elijah 
Brown,  Hugh  Roberts,  seventy  years  or  upwards ;  says  he  has 
never  in  any  manner  spoke,  or  in  any  way  shown  himself 
inimical  to  the  liberty  and  independence  of  America,  since  the 
commencement  of  the  disputes ;  we  have  his  verbal  word, 
agreeably  to  our  instructions,  and  we  are  to  wait  on  him  at 
two  o'clock  this  afternoon ;  u-e  found  no  papers.  *Miers 
Fisher,  prisoner,  no  papers.  *George  Roberts,  his  w  ife  very 
big,  and  otherwise  ill ;  he  has  passed  his  word  as  above,  and 
appears  at  the  same  hour  with  his  father;  and  w^e  beg  the 


APPENDIX. 


265 


directions  of  His  Excellency  and  the  Council.  *Joseph  Fox, 
prisuner,  some  papers.  *Samuel  Einlen,  Jr.,  confined  to  his 
bed ;  we  broke  open  his  desk,  but  found  no  papers  of  a  public 
nature.  Adam  Kuhn,  D.  M.,  produced  the  certificate  of  his 
having  taken  the  oath  to  the  United  States,  2d  June,  and  is  to 
be  forthcoming  at  one  o'clock  to-day.  *Phineas  Bond,  on 
parole,  no  papers.  *William  Smith,  D.  D.,  *Rev.  Thomas 
Coombe,  prisoner,  no  papers.  *Samuel  Shoemaker,  has  given 
his  promise  not  to  go  from  his  house,  that  he  has  never  had 
any  thing  to  do  with  the  Meetings  for  Sufferings,  and  has  dis- 
approved of  the  proceedings  signed   by    Pemberton. 

♦Charles  Jervis,  prisoner,  no  papers.  William  Drewet  Smith, 
prisoner,  no  papers.  *Pike,  (dancing-master,)  on  parole,  no 
papers.  *Owen  Jones,  Jr.,  prisoner,  no  papers.  *William 
Lenox,  Jr.,  prisoner,  had  a  pocket-booh  and  some  papers. 
*Jeremiah  Warder,  aged  and  very  infirm,  having  an  inflamma- 
tion, has  given  his  verbal  parole,  agreeably  to  our  instructions; 
ve  found  some  papers.  *Caleb  Emlen,  not  to  be  found.  *Wil- 
liam  Smith,  (broker,)  prisoner ;  his  chamber  is  locked  up  for 
the  inspection  of  his  papers,  the  key  in  the  possession  of  Cap- 
tain Smith.  *Charles  Eddy,  prisoner,  no  papers.  *Samuel 
Murdock,  on  parole,  no  papers.  Alexander  Stedman,  prisoner. 
Charles  Stedman,  Jr.,  prisoner.  *Robert  Asheton,  (merchant,) 
on  parole.  William  Imlay,  prisoner,  no  papers.  *Thomas 
Gilpin,  prisoner,  no  papers.  *Samuel  Jackson,  out  of  town  ; 
no  search  has  been  made  for  papers  as  yet.  *Thomas  Affleck, 
prisoner,  no  papers. 

"  N.B.  Caleb  Emlen,  on  being  arrested,  took  the  oath  as 
required  by  law,  and  was  therefore  discharged." 

Colonel  Bradford,  Colonel  Will,  Major  Keer,  and  Mr. 
Loughead,  reported,  that  they  had  arrested  Israel  Pemberton, 
John  Hunt,  and  Samuel  Pleasants,  but  that  they  all  refused  to 
move  from  the  house  of  the  said  Pemberton,  where  they  now 
are,  unless  they  were  arrested  by  some  civil  officer:  therefore, 
ordered.  That  Colonel  Nicola,  town  major,  do  take  a  proper 
guard,  and  seize  Israel  Pemberton,  John  Hunt,  and  Samuel 


266 


EXILES  FROM  PENNSYLVANIA. 


Pleasants,  and  conduct  them  to  the  Freemasons'  Lodae,  and 
there  confine  them  under  guard,  until  further  orders :  and 
Phineas  Bond  having,  by  letter,  declared  his  renunciation  of 
the  parole  he  has  signed,  therefore  ordered,  That  Colonel 
Nicola  do  also  seize  and  confine  him,  in  like  manner,  until 
further  orders. 

CONGRESS. 

Wednesday,  September  3d,  1777. 

A  letter  of  the  2d,  from  George  Bryan,  Esq.,  Vice-President 
of  the  Supreme  Executive  Council  of  Pennsylvania,  was  read, 
informing  that  "  In  consequence  of  the  recommendation  of  Con- 
gress, and  their  own  persuasion  of  the  propriety  and  necessity 
of  the  measure,  the  Council  have  taken  up  several  persons 
inimically  disposed  towards  the  American  States;  that  few  of 
the  Quakers  among  these  are  willing  to  make  any  promise  of 
any  kind  ;  and  desiring  the  advice  of  Congress,  particularly 
rchether  Augusta  and  Winchester,  in  Virginia,  would  not  be 
suitable  'places  in  which  to  secure  these  persons  :"  whereupon, 

Resolved,  That  Congress  approve  of  the  Quaker  prisoners 
being  sent  to  Virginia,  and  in  the  opinion  of  Congress  that 
Staunton,  in  the  County  of  Augusta,  is  the  most  proper  place  in 
Virginia,  for  their  residence,  and  security ;  and  with  regard  to 
the  other  prisoners  mentioned  in  their  letter.  Congress  leave  it 
to  the  Supreme  Executive  Council,  to  do  with  them  as  they  in 
their  wisdom  shall  think  best. 

The  Supreme  Executive  Council  having  sent  to  Congress, 
by  one  of  the  delegates  of  their  state,  sundry  original  letters 
and  papers  found  in  the  possession  of  some  of  the  Quakers 
taken  into  custody,  the  same  were  read. 

Ordered,  That  they  be  referred  to  the  committee  to  whom 
General  Sullivan's  letter  of  the  21st  of  August  was  referred. 


APPENDIX. 


267 


COUNCIL. 

September  4th,  1777. 

Israel  Penibcrton,  John  Hunt,  and  Sanriuel  Pleasants,  attended 
by  Mr.  Lewis,  and  Mr.  Robeson,  (attorneys,)  and  also  by 
Sanuiel  Rhoads,  Jr.,  sent  in  by  the  Secretary  a  request  to  be 
heard  by  the  Council ;  to  which  the  Council,  by  the  Secretary, 
answered:  that  the  arrest  has  been  made  by  order  of  Congress, 
and  that  at  present  the  Council  decline  hearing  them  ;  that  the 
Secretary  returned  and  informed  Council,  that  Mr.  Pemberton, 
on  behalf  of  himself,  Mr.  Hunt,  and  Pleasants,  observed,  no 
arrest  had  been  made  by  the  town  major;  that  one  of  them  had 
not  seen  or  been  spoken  to  by  him  ;  that  as  freemen,  they 
claimed  the  right  of  being  heard  in  their  defence  before  the 
Council ;  that  nothing  on  their  part  should  be  said  but  what  was 
decent  and  proper  ;  that  theirs  is  a  case  in  which  every  freeman 
in  the  State  is  interested  ;  and  that  this  right  of  being  heard 
they  demanded  and  insisted  on.  To  which  the  Council,  by  the 
Secretary,  answered  :  that  the  Council  has  ordered  this  arrest 
in  consequence  of  a  recommendation  of  Congress,  and  they  do 
not,  at  present,  think  proper  to  hear  Mr.  Pemberton,  Mr.  Hunt, 
and  Mr.  Pleasants. 

A  remonstrance  from  the  aforesaid  was  presented  and  read. 

Colonel  Nicola  reports,  that  he  has  executed  the  orders  of 
yesterday,  and  had  conducted  Israel  Pemberton,  John  Hunt, 
Samuel  Pleasants,  and  Phineas  Bond,  to  the  Freemasons' 
Lodge,  and  secured  them  under  guard. 

Ordered,  That  the  persons  now  confined  in  the  Freemasons' 
Lodge,  be  sent  to  Staunton,  in  Augusta  County,  in  the  State  of 
Virginia,  agreeable  to  the  resolve  of  Congress ;  there  to  be 
secured  and  treated  in  such  manner  as  shall  be  consistent  with 
their  respective  characters,  and  the  security  of  their  persons. 

Ordered,  That  the  lieutenants  of  the  respective  counties  do 
furnish  proper  guards  of  militia  for  prisoners,  whether  tories 
or  others,  when  application  shall  be  made  to  them  for  such 
purposes. 


268 


EXILES  FROM  PENNSYLVANIA. 


September  5th. 

[Present  as  before],  and  Jacob  Morgan,  Esq. 

The  President  laid  before  the  Council  a  remonstrance  de- 
livered to  him  last  evening,  by  John  Reynell,  James  Craig,  and 
Owen  Jones,  signed  by  the  gentlemen  confined  in  the  Masons' 
Lodge,  which  was  read,  and  thereupon  ordered,  That  the  said 
remonstrance  be  laid  before  Congress,  and  that  application  be 
made  to  Congress  to  know  whether  they  had  any  objections  to 
such  of  the  aforesaid  gentlemen  as  should  now  take  an  oath  or 
affirmation  of  allegiance  to  this  State,  being  enlarged ;  to  which 
Congress  return  the  following  resolve,  viz. : 

In  Congress,  September  5tb,  1777. 

Resolved,  That  the  Supreme  Executive  Council  be  informed 
that  the  Congress  have  no  objection  to  the  enlargement  of  such 
persons  now  confined  in  the  Lodge,  as  will  swear  or  affirm 
allegiance  to  this  State. 

Extract  from  the  minutes. 

Charles  Thomson, 

Secretary. 

Therefore,  resolved.  That  such  of  the  persons  now  confined 
in  the  Lodge,  as  shall  take  an  oath  or  affirmation  of  allegiance 
to  this  State,  shall  be  thereupon  discharged. 

Ordered,  that  the  Secretary  write  to  Colonel  Bradford,  and 
request  him  to  communicate  the  last-mentioned  resolve  to  the 
gentlemen  confined  in  the  Lodge. 

CONGRESS. 

Friday,  September  5th,  1777. 

A  letter  of  this  day  from  Thomas  Wharton,  Jr.,  President  of 
Pennsylvania,  was  read,  informing  that  the  persons  detained  in 
the  Masons'  Lodge,  have  had  notice  of  their  going  to-morrow 
to  Augusta,  and  desiring  an  answer,  "  Whether  the  removal  of 


APPENDIX. 


2G9 


those  persons  may  not  be  relaxed  as  to  such  as  would  yet  swear 
or  affirm  allegiance  to  this  State;"  also  including  a  remon- 
strance to  the  Council  of  Pennsylvania,  from  twenty  persons  in 
the  Lodge  :*  whereupon, 

Resolved,  That  the  Supreme  Executive  Council  be  informed 
that  Congress  have  no  objection  to  the  enlargement  of  such 
persons  now  confined  in  the  Lodge  as  will  swear  or  affirm 
to  this  State. 

A  remonstrance  from  Israel  Pemberton,  James  Pemberton, 
John  Pemberton,  Thomas  Wharton,  Henry  Drinker,  Thomas 
Fisher,  Samuel  Pleasants,  and  Samuel  R.  Fisher,  was  read  if 

Ordered  to  lie  on  the  table  : 

The  committee  to  whom  the  papers  sent  to  Congress  by  the 
Supreme  Executive  Council  of  Pennsylvania  were  referred, 
brought  in  a  report,  which  was  read. 

Ordered,  that  the  consideration  thereof  be  postponed. 

CONGRESS. 

Saturday,  September  6,  1777. 

Congress  took  into  consideration  the  report  of  the  committee 
to  whom  were  i-eferred  the  papers  transmitted  by  the  Supreme 
Executive  Council  of  Pennsylvania  ;  whereupon 

Ordered,  That  the  papers  as  reported  by  the  committee,  from 
No.  1  to  11,  be  published. 

Congress  took  into  consideration  the  remonstrance  from 
Israel  Pemberton,  James  Pemberton,  John  Pemberton,  Thomas 
Wharton,  Henry  Drinker,  Thomas  Fisher,  Samuel  Pleasants, 
and  Samuel  R.  Fisher,  who  were  taken  into  custody  upon  the 
recommendation  of  Congress,  praying  to  be  heard  ;  whereupon 

Resolved,  That  it  he  recommended  to  the  Supreme  Executive 
Council  of  the  State  of  Pennsylvania  to  hear  what  the  said  re- 
monstrants can  allege  to  remove  the  suspicions  of  their  being 
disaffected  or  dangerous  to  the  United  States,  and  act  therein  as 
the  said  Council  judge  most  conducive  to  the  public  safety. 

*  See  pages  95  to  99.  +  See  page  103. 


270 


EXILES  FROM  PENNSYLVANIA. 


COUNCIL. 

Saturday,  September  6,  1777. 

[Present,  as  yesterday.] 

A  resolve  of  Congress,  of  this  dale,  recommending  to  this 
Council  to  hear  what  Israel  Pemberton  and  divers  others, 
therein  named,  can  allege  to  remove  the  suspicion  of  their 
being  disaffected  or  dangerous  to  the  United  States,  being  read 
and  considered. 

Resolved,  That  the  President  do  write  to  the  Congress,  and 
let  them  know,  that  the  Council  has  not  time  to  attend  to  that 
business,  in  the  present  alarming  crisis,  and  that  they  were, 
agreeably  to  the  recommendation  of  Congress,  at  the  moment  the 
said  resolve  ivas  brought  into  Council,  disposing  of  every  thing 
for  the  departure  of  the  prisoners. 

CONGRESS. 

Monday,  September  8,  1777. 

Congress  took  into  consideration  the  letter  of  the  6th,  from 
the  Council  of  Pennsylvania,  wherein  they  informed,  "  that  at 
the  time  the  resolves  of  Congress  of  the  6th  came  to  them,  the 
Council  irere  disposing  of  every  thing  for  the  departure  of  the 
gentlemen  confined  in  the  Masons''  Lodge;  that  the  hearing  of 
some  may  be  censured  as  a  partial  proceeding,  and  therefore 
they  wish  the  same  indulgence  may  be  granted  to  all ;  that  as 
this  may  be  tedious,  and,  in  the  midst  of  the  present  load  of  im- 
portant business  before  Council,  of  which  that  of  embodying  the 
militia  is  not  the  least  part,  they  have  not  leisure  to  undertake 
it ;  that,  as  much  injury  will  ensue  to  their  commonwealth,  if 
Council  at  present  yield  any  further  attention  to  this  matter, 
they  therefore  earnestly  request  that  Congress  may  hear  and 
dispose  of  the  gentlemen  prisoners  in  the  Masons^  Lodge,  and 
also  of  those  who  are  on  promise  or  parole,  in  such  manner  as  to 
their  wisdom  shall  seem  best,  and  that  for  this  purpose  a  list  of 
the  prisoners  is  herewith  sent ;"  whereupon 


APPENDIX. 


27] 


Resolved,  That  it  would  be  improper  for  Congress  to  enter 
into  any  hearing  of  the  remonstrants  or  the  other  prisoners  in 
the  Lodge,  they  being  inhabitants  of  Pennsylvania  ;  and  there- 
fore, as  the  Council  declines  giving  them  a  hearing,  for  the  rea- 
sons assigned  in  their  letter  to  Congress,  that  it  be  recom- 
mended to  the  said  Council  to  order  the  immediate  departure 
of  such  of  the  said  prisoners  as  yet  refuse  to  swear  or  affirm 
allegiance  to  the  State  of  Pennsylvania,  to  Staunton,  in  Vir- 
ginia. 

COUNCIL. 

Monday,  September  8th. 

[Present,  as  above.] 

A  remonstrance  from  the  people  confined  in  the  Masons' 
Lodge*  was  presented  by  the  Secretary,  and  read.  Thereupon, 
the  Secretary  was  ordered  to  acquaint  Dr.  Hutchinson,  one  of 
the  gentlemen  who  delivered  the  said  remonstrance  to  him, 
that  Council  had  referred  the  case  to  Congress. 

Tuesday,  September  9th. 

Colonel  William  Bradford  now  attended  the  Council,  and 
reported,  that  he  had  on  Friday  evening  last,  waited  upon  the 
prisoners  now  confined  at  the  Masons'  Lodge,  and  shown  them 
the  certified  copy  of  the  resolve  of  Congress,  relating  to  them, 
of  the  5th  inst.,  and  had  given  them  a  copy  thereof ;  but  that 
the  prisoners  had  given  him  no  reason  to  expect  a  compliance 
with  the  terms  proposed  them. 

The  following  resolve  of  Congress  was  read,  viz. : 

IN  CONGRESS. 

September  8th,  1777. 
Resolved,  That  it  would  be  improper  for  Congress  to  enter 
into  the  hearing  of  the  remonstrants,  or  other  prisoners  in  the 
Masons'  Lodge,  they  being  inhabitants  of  Pennsylvania,  and 
therefore,  as  the  Council  decline  giving  them  a  hearing,  for  the 

«  See  pages  107  to  110. 


272 


EXILES  FROM  PENNSYLVANIA. 


reasons  assigned  in  their  letters  to  Congress,  that  it  be  recom- 
mended to  said  Council,  to  order  the  immediate  departure  of 
such  of  the  said  prisoners  as  yet  refuse  to  swear  or  affirm  alle- 
giance to  the  State  of  Pennsylvania,  to  Staunton  in  Virginia. 
Extract  from  the  minutes, 

Charles  Thomson, 

Secretary. 

On  consideration,  Resolved,  That  James  Pemberlon,  Henry 
Drinker,  Israel  Pemberton,  John  Pemberton,  Samuel  Pleasants, 
Thomas  Wharton,  sen.,  Thomas  Fisher,  (son  of  Joshua,) 
Miers  Fisher,  Elijah  Brown,  John  Hunt,  Phineas  Bond,  Rev. 
Thomas  Coombe, Charles  Jervis,  William  Drewet  Smith,  (,'harles 
Eddy,  T.  Pike,  Owen  Jones,  jun.,  Edward  Pennington,  William 
Smith,  (broker,)  Thomas  Gilpin,  Thomas  Affleck,  apprehended 
by  Council,  as  persons  who  have  uniformly  manifested,  by  their 
general  conduct  and  conversation,  a  disposition  highly  inimical 
to  the  cause  of  America,  imprisoned  in  the  Freemasons'  Lodge 
in  this  city,  they  refusing  to  confine  themselves  to  their  several 
dwellings,  and  thereby  making  the  restraint  of  their  persons,  in 
another  manner,  necessary,  and  having  refused  to  promise  to 
refrain  from  corresponding  with  the  enemy,  and  also  declined 
giving  any  assurance  of  allegiance  to  this  state,  as  of  right  they 
ought,  do  hereby  renounce  all  the  privileges  of  citizenship  ;  and 
that  it  appears,  they  consider  themselves  as  subjects  of  the 
King  of  Great  Britain,  the  enemy  of  this  and  the  other  United 
States  of  America,  and  that  they  ought  to  be  proceeded  with 
accordingly. 

Resolved,  That  persons  of  like  character,  and  in  emergencies 
equal  to  the  present,  when  the  enemy  is  at  our  door,  have,  in 
the  other  states,  been  arrested  and  secured,  upon  suspicions 
arising  from  their  general  behaviour,  and  refusal  to  acknow- 
ledge their  allegiance  to  the  state  of  which  they  were  the  proper 
subjects  ;  and,  that  such  proceedings  may  be  abundantly  justi- 
fied by  the  conduct  of  the  freest  nations  and  the  authority  of 
the  most  judicious  civilians  ;  therefore, 


APPENDIX. 


273 


Resolved,  That  the  persons  whose  names  are  mentioned 
above,  be,  without  further  delay,  removed  to  Staunton,  in  Vir- 
ginia. 

September  10th,  1777. 

Colonel  Nicola,  town-major,  representing  that  he  could  not 
procure  the  horses  necessary  for  the  guards — 

Ordered,  To  escort  the  prisoners  from  the  Masons'  Lodge 
towards  Reading ;  a  warrant  to  impress  six  horses,  with  saddles, 
was  issued,  directed  to  him. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  treasurer,  in  favour  of  Mr. 
Alexander  Nesbitt  and  Samuel  Caldwell,  gentlemen  of  the 
Light  Horse,  ordered  to  escort  the  prisoners  on  their  way  to 
Augusta,  for  the  sum  of  £100,  to  pay  their  expenses,  as  far  as 
the  present  escort  may  go,  and  for  which  they  are  to  account. 

September  16th. 

[Present,  Wharton,  Bryan,  Bailey,  Hart,  and  Morgan.] 
Mr.  Alexander  Nesbitt,  one  of  the  gentlemen  of  the  Light 
Horse,  appointed  to  escort  the  prisoners  to  Winchester,  in  Vir- 
ginia, reports.  That  Israel  Pemberton,  and  divers  others  of 
them,  had  obtained  writs  of  habeas  corpus,  ordering  Lewis 
Nicola  to  bring  the  bodies  of  the  said  Israel  Pemberton  and 
others  before  him,  on  the  17th  inst.,  at  the  place  in  the  writ 
expressed ;  and  the  Honourable  House  of  General  Assembly 
having  this  day  passed  an  act,  entitled  an  act,  &c. — Ordered, 
That  a  writ  be  issued,  authorizing  and  empowering  Samuel 
Caldwell  and  Alexander  Nesbitt,  to  receive  the  bodies  of  Israel 
Pemberton,  &c.,  (naming  them,)  who  have  been,  in  conse- 
quence of  the  recommendation  of  Congress,  arrested  and  sent 
forward  towards  Winchester,  in  Virginia,  and  them  to  deliver 
to  Jacob  Morgan  and  John  Oldt,  to  be  forwarded  to  the  place 
of  their  destination. 


18 


274 


EXILES  FROM  PENNSYLVANIA. 


CONGRESS. 

Monday,  October  13th,  1777. 

[Sundry  letters.]  One  of  the  first  from  John  Smith,  lieu- 
tenant of  Frederick  County,  Virginia,  with  sundry  papers 
enclosed,  was  read,  also  a  remonstrance  from  Israel  Pem- 
berton  and  others,  and  a  memorial  from  Chevalier  Du  Portail, 
were  read. 

Ordered,  That  the  memorial  from  Israel  Pemberton  and 
others,  be  referred  to  the  Board  of  War. 

Monday,  December  8th,  1777. 

Sundry  intercepted  letters  from  Owen  Jones,  Jr.,  to  sundry 
persons  at  Lancaster,  were  laid  before  Congress. 

Ordered,  That  they  be  referred  to  a  committee  of  three ;  the 
members  chosen,  Mr.  EUery,  Mr.  Duer,  and  Mr.  Harvie. 

Tuesday,  December  9  th,  1777. 

The  committee  to  whom  were  referred  the  intercepted  letters 
from  Owen  Jones,  Jr.,  to  sundry  persons  at  Lancaster,  brought 
in  a  report  and  desired  leave  to  sit  again. 

Congress  took  into  consideration  the  report ;  whereupon, 
Resolved,  That  the  letters  from  Owen  Jones,  Jr.,  a  prisoner  of 
the  Commonwealth  of  Pennsylvania,  and  confined  at  Win- 
chester, in  Virginia,  to  sundry  persons  at  Lancaster,  be  trans- 
mitted by  the  Board  of  War  to  the  President  of  the  Supreme 
Executive  Council  of  the  State  of  Pennsylvania  ;  and  that  it  be 
recommended  to  the  executive  authority  of  the  said  State  to 
take  such  measures  in  the  premises  as  they  in  their  wisdom 
shall  deem  meet. 

Ordered,  That  the  committee  have  leave  to  sit  again. 

Wednesday,  December  24th,  1777. 

A  memorial  from  Israel  Pemberton  and  others,  to  the  Con- 
gress and  Executive  Council  of  Pennsylvania,  was  read. 


APPENDIX. 


275 


Thursday,  January  1st,  1778. 

A  memorial  to  Congress  and  the  Supreme  Executive  Coun- 
cil of  Pennsylvania,  from  Israel  Pemberton  and  others,  also  a 
letter  from  Owen  Jones,  Jr.,  to  James  Duane,  Esq.,  were  read. 

Resolved,  That  the  consideration  thereof  be  postponed. 

CONGRESS. 

A  petition  from  Isaac  Zane,  Joseph  Janney,  Benjamin  Wright, 
William  Jackson,  John  Parrish,  and  Joseph  Wright,  was  read. 

Ordered,  That  the  petition  be  referred  to  a  committee  of 
three.  The  members  chosen,  Mr.  Ellery,  Mr.  Henry,  and  Mr. 
Clark. 

Wednesday,  January  28th,  1778. 

The  committee  to  whom  the  petition  of  Isaac  Zane  and 
others,  was  referred,  reported  verbally. 

Ordered,  That  the  consideration  of  this  matter  be  postponed 
till  to-morrow. 

Thursday,  January  29th,  1778. 

Congress  resumed  the  consideration  of  the  petition  of  Isaac 
Zane,  &c.,  whereupon. 

Resolved,  That  the  prisoners  now  at  Winchester,  in  the 
State  of  Virginia,  who  have  been  apprehended  by  the  govern- 
ment of  Pennsylvania,  in  consequence  of  the  resolution  of  Con- 
gress of  the  28th  of  August,  1777,  be  discharged  from  their 
confinement  on  their  taking  and  subscribing  either  the  oath  or 
affirmation  of  allegiance,  as  prescribed  by  the  laws  of  Penn- 
sylvania, or  the  following  oath  or  affirmation,  at  the  option  of 
the  persons  confined,  viz.: 

"  I,  A.  B.,  do  swear  (or  affirm),  that  I  acknowledge  myself  a 
subject  of  the  State  of  Pennsylvania,  as  a  free  and  independent 
state,  and  that  I  will  in  all  things  demean  myself  as  a  good  and 
faithful  subject  ought  to  do." 

Ordered,  That  the  President  write  to  the  Governor  of  Vir- 
ginia, and  inform  him  of  this  resolution. 


276 


EXILES  FROM  PENNSYLVANIA. 


COUNCIL. 

Lancaster,  February  4th,  1778. 

Present,  Wharton,  Joseph  Hart,  John  Hambright,  Thomas 
Urie,  Thomas  Scott,  and  James  Edgar. 
The  following  address  was  read,  to  wit : 

TO  THE  PRESIDENT  AND  COUNCIL,  NOW  SITTING  AT  LANCASTER. 

These  may  show. 

That  we,  the  subscribers,  being  appointed  on  behalf  of  the 
Westerly  Quarterly  Meeting  of  the  people  called  Quakers,  in 
order  to  lay  before  you  various  deeply  distressing  cases  and 
circumstances,  that  nearly  affect  us,  as  a  religious  Society, 
request  an  admittance  to  be  heard  by  you,  for  the  purpose 
above  said  ;  which  favour  will  be  acknowledged  by  your  real 
friends, 

Warren  Mifflin,  William  Jackson,  Jr., 

Abraham  Gibbons,  James  Jackson, 

Jos.  Husband,  Jacob  Lindley. 

Lancaster,  23d  of  2d  month,  1778. 

Ordered,  That  the  subscribers  of  the  said  request  be  informed, 
that  the  Council  are  willing  to  attend  to  their  representation  to 
be  made  in  writing,  and  are  disposed  to  hear  them  on  such 
matters  as  may  be  contained  therein,  so  far  as  is  within  the 
cognizance  of  the  Council. 

The  following  representation  was  read,  viz. : 

TO  THE  PRESIDENT  AND  COUNCIL,  NOW  SITTING  AT  LANCASTER. 

Lancaster,  24th  2d  month,  1778. 

We,  the  subscribers,  are  desirous  to  lay  before  you, 
1st,  the  case  of  a  number  of  our  friends,  now  under  confine- 
ment at  Winchester,  in  Virginia,  by  the  authority  of  your 


APPENDIX. 


277 


body,  as  we  apprehend,  whose  release  we  strongly  desire,  or  if 
that  cannot  be  obtained,  that  three  or  more  of  them,  on  behalf 
of  the  rest,  may  be  heard  in  their  own  vindication,  either 
before  Council  or  Congress,  as  you  may  direct. 

2dly,  That  you  would  weightily  consider  the  situation  of 
four  of  our  friends,  closely  confined  in  the  common  jail  of  this 
borough. 

3dly,  That  you  would  interpose  for  our  relief,  in  case  of 
exorbitant  fines,  taken  from  us,  because  of  our  conscience  sake 
we  cannot  yield  our  personal  service  in  war. 

4thly,  We  desire  a  redress  of  grievance  in  a  certain  law, 
commonly  called  the  test  law. 

[Signed  as  the  above.] 

Whereas  Doctor  Parke,  and  one  Morton,  both  of  the  city  of 
Philadelphia,  the  former  son-in-law,  and  the  latter  stepson  of 
James  Pemberton,  have  presumed  to  undertake  a  journey  from 
Philadelphia  to  Winchester,  without  calling  at  headquarters, 
or  obtaining  permission  from  any  lawful  authority : 

Resolved,  That  the  Board  of  War  be  directed  to  cause  the 
said  Parke  and  Morton  to  be  apprehended  and  confined  in 
prison,  till  further  orders. 

CONGRESS. 

Tuesday,  March  10th,  1778. 

A  letter  of  the  7th,  from  the  Executive  Council  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, was  read,  representing  that  "the  affairs  of  the  Common- 
wealth of  Pennsylvania  are  so  circumstanced  as  to  admit  the 
return  of  the  prisoners  sent  from  that  State  into  Virginia, 
without  danger  to  the  commonwealth,  or  to  the  common  cause 
of  America.  That  the  dangerous  example  which  their  longer 
continuance  in  banishment  may  afford  on  future  occasions  has 
already  given  uneasiness  to  some  good  friends  to  the  indepen- 
dency of  these  States,"  and  requesting,  "  if  Congress  have  no 
other  reasons  for  continuing  them  in  Virginia  than  the  Council 


278 


EXILES  FROM  PENNSYLVANIA. 


are  acquainted  with,  that  such  orders  may  he  given  as  shall  put 
those  people  again  under  the  direction  and  authority  of  the 
President  and  Council  of  their  State." 

Monday,  March  16th,  1778. 

Resolved,  That  the  Board  of  War  be  directed  to  deliver  to 
the  order  of  the  President  and  Council  of  Pennsylvania,  the 
prisoners  sent  from  that  State  to  Virginia. 

COUNCIL. 

April  6th,  1778. 

A  letter  from  his  Excellency,  General  Washington,  inclosing 
one  from  Mrs.  Mary  Pemberton  to  him,  requesting  a  protection 
for  one  or  more  wagons,  and  for  the  persons  who  may  be  em- 
ployed to  go  with  them  to  Winchester,  to  carry  necessaries  for 
the  prisoners  sent  there  from  this  state. 

On  consideration,  ordered,  that  a  protection  be  granted  for 
two  wagons  and  the  necessary  persons  to  take  care  of  them, 
and  conduct  them  to  this  borough,  on  their  way  to  the  said 
prisoners. 

April  8th,  1778. 

The  resolve  of  Congress  of  16th  March  last,  "  That  the 
Board  of  War  be  directed  to  deliver  over  to  the  order  of  the 
President  and  Council  of  Pennsylvania,  the  prisoners  sent  from 
this  state  to  Virginia,"  being  now  read,  and  the  law  for  the 
further  security  of  the  government  taken  into  consideration,  as 
far  as  the  same  may  affect  the  said  prisoners,  thereupon  ordered, 
that  the  said  prisoners,  to  wit,  Israel  Pemberton,  (and  others 
named,)  be  brought  to  Shippensburg,  in  this  State,  and  there 
enlarged.  That  they  be  informed  of  the  law  passed  for  the 
further  security  of  the  government,  by  giving  to  Mr.  Israel 
Pemberton,  or  some  one  of  the  said  prisoners,  a  printed  copy 
of  the  said  law,  for  the  inspection  of  the  whole :  that  Mr. 


APPENDIX. 


279 


Francis  Y.  Baily  and  Captain  Lang,  be  appointed  to  apply  to  the 
Board  of  War  for,  and  receive  from  them,  an  order  for  the 
delivery  of  the  prisoners  sent  from  this  State  to  Virginia,  and 
that  the  Board  of  War  be  requested  to  give  orders  for  such 
assistance  in  procuring  wagons  to  bring  the  prisoners  into  this 
State,  and  there  set  them  at  liberty ;  and  that  on  the  journey 
they  be  treated  with  the  respect  due  to  their  characters. 

Ordered,  That  the  lieutenants  of  the  counties  through  which 
the  aforesaid  prisoners  may  pass,  do  give  the  necessary  assis- 
tance to  Mr.  Baily  and  Captain  Lang,  by  furnishing  wagons  or 
other  assistance,  which  they  may  stand  in  need  of. 

Ordered,  That  the  whole  expense  of  arresting  and  confining 
the  prisoners  sent  to  Virginia,  the  expenses  of  their  journey,  and 
all  other  incidental  charges,  he  paid  by  the  said  prisoners. 

April  10th. 

An  address  from  the  wives  and  near  friends  of  the  pi'isoners 
in  Virginia,  was  read  and  considered,  to  wit: 

Representation  of  the  wives  of  the  prisoners  in  Virginia,  read 
in  Council,  April  10th,  1778: 

TO  THE  CONGRESS,  BOARD  OF  WAR,  PRESIDENT  AND  COUNCIL,  AND 
ASSEMBLY  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

We,  the  afflicted  and  sorrowful  wives,  parents,  and  near 
connexions  of  the  Friends  in  banishment,  at  and  near  Win- 
chester, think  ourselves  bound  by  the  strongest  ties  of  natural 
affection,  sympathy,  and  regard,  to  request  you,  that  you  suffer 
Christian  charity  and  compassion  so  far  to  prevail  in  your 
minds  as  to  take  off  the  bonds  of  those  innocent  and  oppressed 
Friends,  and  entreat  you  not  let  the  ruin  of  such,  who  have  evi- 
denced their  strong  attachment  to  their  native  country,  and  a 
benevolent  disposition  to  mankind  in  general,  to  lie  at  the  door 
of  a  people  professing  the  tender  and  compassionate  religion  of 
Christ,  one  of  whose  excellent  precepts  was,  "  Whatsoever  ye 
would  that  men  should  do  to  you,  do  ye  even  so  to  them." 


280 


EXILES  FROM  PENNSYLVANIA. 


The  melancholy  account  we  have  lately  received,  of  the  in- 
disposition of  our  beloved  husbands  and  children,  and  that  the 
awful  messenger — death — had  made  an  inroad  on  one  of  their 
number,  (Thomas  Gilpin,)  to  the  unspeakable  grief  and  irre- 
parable loss  of  an  amiable  wife  and  children,  hath  deeply 
affected  our  minds,  and  divers  of  our  families  are  in  a  distressed 
situation.  We  therefore  ardently  desire  you  to  make  the  case 
your  own.  No  doubt  many  of  you  have  wives  and  tender 
children,  and  must  know  that,  in  time  of  trial  and  distress,  none 
are  so  proper  to  alleviate  and  bear  a  part  of  the  burden,  as 
their  affectionate  husbands. 

We  firmly  believe  these,  our  dear  friends,  are  clear  and 
innocent  of  the  charges  alleged  against  them  ;  which  they,  for 
themselves,  and  their  friends  for  them,  have  fully  answered ; 
and  that  they  are  now  suffering  for  a  steady  and  firm  adhe- 
rence to  their  inoffensive  and  peaceable  principles. 

This  application  to  you  on  this  interesting  subject,  is  entirely 
an  act  of  our  own.  We  have  not  consulted  our  absent  friends 
on  the  occasion,  hoping  and  believing  it  will  not  be  of  disser- 
vice;  and  we  request  you  will  take  no  offence  at  the  freedom 
of  women  so  deeply  interested  as  we  are  in  this  matter,  and 
that  Divine  Benevolence  may  so  influence  your  hearts  as  to 
grant  our  earnest  request ;  in  which,  we  doubt  not,  you  will 
find  true  peace  in  the  hour  of  retribution  ;  and  it  will  be  also 
an  inexpressible  consolation  to  your  suffering  and  sorrowful 
friends, 

Hannah  Pemberton,  Mary  Pemberton, 

Isabella  Affleck,  Eliza  Drinker, 

Rebecca  Jervis,  Sarah  Fisher, 

Phebe  Pemberton,  Susanna  Jones, 

Sarah  R.  Fisher,  Mary  Pleasants, 

Mary  Eddy,  Mary  Brown, 

Sarah  Pennington,  Elizabeth  Smith, 

Rachel  Wharton,  Eliza  Jervis, 

Esther  Fisher,  Rachel  Hunt. 

Philadelphia,  4th  month  1st,  177S. 


APPENDIX. 


281 


Ordered,  That  the  prisoners  now  in  Virginia,  be  brought  to 
this  borough,  instead  of  being  enlarged  at  Shippensburg. 

The  Board  of  War  having  sent  to  Council  an  order  to  Joseph 
Holmes,  Esq.,  to  deliver  over  to  the  order  of  the  President  and 
Council  of  this  State,  all  prisoners  of  this  State  now  under  his 
care,  thereupon 

Ordered,  That  an  order  be  endorsed  thereon,  for  the  de- 
livery of  ihe  said  prisoners  to  Mr.  Baily  and  Captain  Lang. 

April  21st. 

The  Council  resuming  the  consideration  of  the  case  of  the 
prisoners  which  are  ordered  to  this  borough  from  Winchester, 
agreeable  to  the  request  of  Mrs.  Jones,  Mrs.  Pemberton,  Mrs. 
Pleasants,  and  Mrs.  Drinker,  and  the  same  being  fully  considered, 
thereupon 

Ordered,  That  on  their  arrival  here,  it  shall  be  at  the  election 
of  the  said  prisoners  to  be  set  at  liberty  in  the  borough,  or  at 
Pottsgrove,  in  the  county  of  Philadelphia. 

April  27th. 

Captain  Lang  and  Mr.  Baily  report,  that  they  had  received 
from  Alexander  White,  Esq.,  who  acted  for  and  in  behalf  of 
Joseph  Holmes,  Esq.,  Deputy  Commissary  of  Prisoners,  the 
following  persons,  agreeable  to  the  order  of  this  Council,  viz. : 
Israel  Pemberton,  &c. ;  and  that  the  said  gentlemen  were  now 
in  this  borough,  agreeable  to  the  order  of  Council.  That  they 
had  been  informed  by  Alexander  White,  Esq.,  that  Thomas 
Gilpin  and  John  Hunt  were  dead.  Thomas  Affleck,  one  of  the 
prisoners  sent  to  Virginia,  having  obtained  leave  to  come  to 
this  borough,  in  consideration  of  the  dangerous  illness  of  his 
wife,  being  also  arrived  here. 

The  case  of  the  prisoners  brought  from  Virginia,  and  now 
in  this  borough,  being  considered,  thereupon 

Ordered,  That  they  be  immediately  sent  to  Pottsgrove,  in 
the  County  of  Philadelphia,  and  there  discharged  from  confine- 


282 


EXILES  FROM  PENNSYLVANIA. 


ment ;  and  that  they  be  furnished  with  a  copy  of  the  order, 
which  shall  be  deemed  a  discharge. 

(Note.  Under  the  certified  copy  of  this  resolve,  given  to  the 
respective  gentlemen,  the  following  certificate  was  inserted,  and 
signed  by  the  Secretary,  viz. : 

(A.  B.)  of  the  City  of  Philadelphia,  gentleman,  one  of  the 
prisoners  referred  to  by  the  above  order  of  Council,  is  hereby 
permitted,  with  his  horses,  servants,  and  baggage,  to  pass  un- 
molested into  the  County  of  Philadelphia,  agreeably  to  the  said 
order,  which  is  to  be  respected  as  their  discharge.) 

A  pass  to  Philadelphia,  for  Mrs.  Jones,  Mrs.  Pemberton,  Mrs. 
Pleasants,  and  Mrs.  Drinker,  and  for  Israel  Morris,  who 
attended  them,  being  requested  ;  on  consideration. 

Ordered,  That  a  pass  be  granted  to  the  aforesaid  persons, 
with  their  servant,  to  return  to  headquarters,  and  from  thence 
to  Philadelphia,  if  General  Washington  shall  think  proper  for 
them  so  to  do. 


PAPERS  PUBLISHED  BY  ORDER  OF  CONGRESS. 

(See  Dunlap's  Pennsylvania  Packet,  No.  304,  dated  Tuesday,  6  September,  1777, 
in  the  Philadelphia  Library,  No.  384,  Folio.) 

Philadelphia,  September  6. 

THE  TESTIMONY  OF  THE  PEOPLE  CALLED  QUAKERS,  GIVEN  FORTH  BY  A 
MEETING  OF  THE  REPRESENTATIVES  OF  SAID  PEOPLE,  IN  PENNSYL- 
VANIA AND  NEW  JERSEY,  HELD  AT  PHILADELPHIA  THE  TWENTY- 
FOURTH  DAY  OF  THE  FIRST  MONTH,  1775. 

Having  considered  with  real  sorrow,  the  unhappy  contest 
between  the  Legislature  of  Great  Britain  and  the  people  of  these 
Colonies,  and  the  animosities  consequent  thereon ;  we  have  by 


APPENDIX. 


283 


repeated  public  advices  and  private  admonitions,  used  our  en- 
deavours to  dissuade  the  members  of  our  religious  Society  from 
joining  wiih  the  public  resolutions  promoted  and  entered  into 
by  some  of  the  people,  which  as  we  apprehended,  so  we  now 
find  have  increased  contention,  and  produced  great  discord  and 
confusion. 

The  divine  principle  of  grace  and  truth  which  we  profess, 
leads  all  who  attend  to  its  dictates,  to  demean  themselves  as 
peaceable  subjects,  and  to  discountenance  and  avoid  every 
measure  tending  to  excite  disaffection  to  the  King,  as  supreme 
magistrate,  or  to  the  legal  authority  of  his  government ;  to 
which  purpose  many  of  the  late  political  writings  and  addresses 
to  the  people  appearing  to  be  calculated,  we  are  led  by  a  sense 
of  duty  to  declare  our  entire  disapprobation  of  them — their 
spirit  and  temper  being  not  only  contrary  to  the  nature  and 
precepts  of  the  gospel,  but  destructive  of  the  peace  and  harmony 
of  civil  society,  disqualify  men  in  these  times  of  difficulty,  for 
the  wise  and  judicious  consideration  and  promoting  of  such 
measures  as  would  be  most  effectual  for  reconciling  differences, 
or  obtaining  the  redress  of  grievances. 

From  our  past  experience  of  the  clemency  of  the  King  and 
his  royal  ancestors,  we  have  grounds  to  hope  and  believe,  that 
decent  and  respectful  addresses  from  those  who  are  vested 
with  legal  authority,  representing  the  prevailing  dissatisfactions 
and  the  cause  of  them,  would  avail  towards  obtaining  relief, 
ascertaining  and  establishing  the  just  rights  of  the  people,  and 
restoring  the  public  tranquillity ;  and  we  deeply  lament  that 
contrary  modes  of  proceeding  have  been  pursued,  which  have 
involved  the  Colonies  in  confusion,  appear  likely  to  produce 
violence  and  bloodshed,  and  threaten  the  subversion  of  the 
constitutional  government,  and  of  that  liberty  of  conscience,  for 
the  enjoyment  of  which,  our  ancestors  were  induced  to  en- 
counter the  manifold  dangers  and  difficulties  of  crossing  the 
seas,  and  of  settling  in  the  wilderness. 

We  are,  therefore,  incited  by  a  sincere  concern  for  the  peace 
and  welfare  of  our  country,  publicly  to  declare  against  every 


284 


EXILES  FROM  PENNSYLVANIA. 


usurpation  of  power  and  authority,  in  opposition  to  the  laws 
and  government,  and  against  all  combinations,  insurrections, 
conspiracies,  and  illegal  assemblies  ;  and  as  we  are  restrained 
from  them  by  the  conscientious  discharge  of  our  duty  to  Al- 
mighty God,  "  by  whom  kings  reign,  and  princes  decree 
justice,"  we  hope  through  his  assistance  and  favour,  to  be 
enabled  to  maintain  our  testimony  against  any  requisitions 
which  may  be  made  of  us,  inconsistent  with  our  religious  prin- 
ciples, and  the  fidelity  we  owe  to  the  King  and  his  government, 
as  by  law  established  ;  earnestly  desiring  the  restoration  of  that 
harmony  and  concord  which  have  hitherto  united  the  people  of 
these  provinces,  and  been  attended  by  the  divine  blessing  on 
their  labours. 

Signed,  in  and  on  behalf  of  the  said  meeting, 

James  Pemberton, 

Clerk  at  this  time. 

The  Quakers  in  Pennsylvania,  much  alarmed  at  the  present 
distracted  proceedings  of  the  Colonies,  in  the  opposition  making 
to  the  authority  of  the  Parliament  of  Great  Britain,  foreseeing 
the  most  fatal  consequences  both  to  themselves  and  the  parent 
country,  have  thought  it  necessary  to  address  their  brethren  in 
the  adjacent  provinces,  and  have  published  the  following  epistle, 
declaring  their  disapprobation  of  the  measures  prosecuting  for 
obtaining  redress,  and  earnestly  requesting  all  of  their  com- 
munion to  avoid  joining  in  such  measures  as  are  totally  incon- 
sistent with  their  religious  principles. 

AN  EPISTLE  FROM  THE  MEETING  FOR  SUFFERINGS,  HELD  IN  PHILADEL- 
PHIA, FOR  PENNSYLVANIA  AND  NEW  JERSEY,  THE  FIFTH  DAY  OF  THE 
FIRST  MONTH,  1775.  . 

To  our  friends  and  brethren  in  these  and  the  adjacent  Provinces. 

Dear  Friends, — 
During  the  troubles  and  commotions  which  have  prevailed, 
and  still  continue  in  this  once  peaceful  land,  much  seasonable 


APPENDIX. 


285 


and  weighty  advice  hath  been  frequently  communicated,  and 
particularly  by  our  late  Yearly  Meeting,  exhorting  Friends  in 
every  part  of  their  conduct,  to  act  agreeable  to  the  peaceable 
principles  and  testimony  we  profess;  which  we  fervently  de- 
sire may  be  duly  attended  to  and  put  in  practice;  yet  as  some 
public  resolves  have  been  lately  entered  into,  with  the  concur- 
rence and  approbation  of  some  members  of  our  religious  Society, 
the  nature  and  tendency  of  which  are  evidently  contrary  to  our 
religious  principles,  our  minds  have  been  deeply  affected  with 
affliction  and  sorrow,  and  we  have  in  much  affection  and 
brotherly  love  been  engaged  to  use  our  endeavours  to  convince 
these  our  brethren  of  their  deviation  :  in  the  discharge  of  which 
duty,  so  far  as  we  have  proceeded,  we  have  had  the  evidence 
of  peace. 

And,  dear  friends,  we  are  now  constrained  in  the  renewings 
of  true  love,  to  intreat  and  exhort  all,  with  humility  and  reve- 
rence, to  bear  in  mind,  that  our  real  welfare  and  preservation, 
on  the  foundation  of  our  religious  fellowship  and  communion, 
depends  on  our  faithfully  adhering  to  the  doctrines  and  pre- 
cepts of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  who  expressly  declared,  "  My 
kingdom  is  not  of  this  world.  If  my  kingdom  were  of  this 
world,  then  would  my  servants  fight,  that  I  should  not  be  de- 
livered to  the  Jews  ;  but  now  is  my  kingdom  not  from  hence." 
(John  xviii.  36.)  Which  ever  since  we  were  a  people,  we 
have  publicly  professed  should  be  religiously  observed  by  us  as 
the  rule  of  our  conduct. 

As  divers  members  of  our  religious  Society,  some  of  them 
without  their  consent  or  knowledge,  have  been  lately  nominated 
to  attend  on  and  engage  in  some  public  affairs,  which  they 
cannot  undertake  without  deviating  from  these  our  religious 
principles;  we  therefore  earnestly  beseech  and  advise  them, 
and  all  others,  to  consider  the  end  and  purpose  of  every  mea- 
sure to  which  they  are  desired  to  become  parlies,  and  with 
great  circumspection  and  care  to  guard  against  joining  in  any 
for  the  asserting  and  maintaining  our  rights  and  liberties,  which 
on  mature  deliberation,  appear  not  to  be  dictated  by  that 


286 


EXILES  FROM  PENNSYLVANIA. 


"wisdom  which  is  from  above,  which  is  pure,  peaceable, 
gentle,  and  full  of  mercy  and  good  fruits."  (James  iii.  1(>.) 

"  Every  instance  of  conduct  inconsistent  with  our  Christian 
profession,  tends  to  violate  the  testimony  we  ought  to  maintain 
of  the  sufficiency  of  that  divine  principle  of  light  and  grace,  by 
a  steady  attention  to  which  our  ancestors  were  led,  in  times  of 
great  commotion  and  difficulty,  to  an  humble  patient  waiting 
for  that  relief  and  liberty,  which  after  a  time  of  deep  suffering 
was  granted  them." 

And  as  they  were  often  engaged  with  Christian  fortitude  and 
freedom  to  remonstrate  to  those  who  were  in  power,  whenever 
under  sufferings,  they  could  safely  do  it,  without  fear  of  being 
reproached  for  any  part  of  their  conduct  having  ministered  just 
occasion  of  offence  ;  or  for  having  ever  been  concerned  in  any 
kind  of  conspiracies,  or  combinations  against  the  government 
under  which  they  lived. 

"  Should  any  now  so  far  deviate  from  their  example,  and  the 
practice  of  faithful  Friends  at  all  times  since,  as  manifest  a  dis- 
position to  contend  for  liberty  by  any  methods  or  agreements 
contrary  to  the  peaceable  spirit  and  temper  of  the  gospel,  which 
ever  breathes  peace  on  earth  and  good-will  to  all  men  ;"  as  it 
is  the  duty,  we  desire  it  may  be  the  care  of  Friends,  in  every 
meeting  where  there  are  any  such,  speedily  to  treat  with  them, 
agreeable  to  our  Christian  discipline,  and  endeavour  to  con- 
vince them  of  their  error ;  in  which  labour  let  all  be  done  in 
true  charity  and  brotherly  love,  and  the  effect  will  be  happy  to 
those  who  receive  it  in  the  same  spirit.  This  religious  care 
steadily  maintained,  will  clearly  testify  the  sincerity  of  our  de- 
sires "  to  guard  against  being  drawn  into  measures  which  may 
minister  occasion  to  any  to  represent  us  as  a  people  departing 
from  the  principles  we  profess  ;  and  will  likewise  excite  such, 
who  have  been  so  incautious  as  to  enter  into  engagements,  the 
terms  and  tendency  of  which  they  had  not  duly  considered,  to 
avoid  doing  any  thing  inconsistent  with  our  principles;"  and 
constantly  to  remember,  that  to  fear  God,  honour  the  king,  and 
do  good  to  all  men,  is  our  indispensable  duty. 


APPENDIX. 


287 


And,  dear  friends, 

And  in  a  degree  of  that  divine  love  which  unites  in  Chris- 
tian communion  and  fellowship,  we  tenderly  salute  you,  de- 
siring that  we  may  more  diligently  press  after  and  seek  for  an 
establishment  on  that  Rock,  against  which  the  gates  of  hell 
shall  never  prevail,  that  we  may  be  supported  steadfast,  when 
storms  and  tempests,  which  for  the  trial  of  our  faith  and  the 
more  thoroughly  purging  us  from  those  things  which  are  of  a 
defiling  nature,  are  permitted  ;  for  the  Lord,  whom  we  desire 
to  serve,  tenderly  regards  his  depending  children,  and  all  his 
chastisements  are  in  mercy  directed  to  redeem  and  preserve 
them  from  evil. 

Signed,  in  and  on  behalf  of  the  said  meeting,  by 

John  Pemberton, 

Clerk. 


THE  ANCIENT  TESTIMONY  AND  PRINCIPLES  OF  THE  PEOPLE  CALLED 
QUAKERS,  RENEWED,  WITH  RESPECT  TO  THE  KING  AND  GOVERN- 
MENT; AND  TOUCHING  THE  COMMOTIONS  NOW  PREVAILING  IN  THESE 
AND  OTHER  PARTS  OF  AMERICA.  ADDRESSED  TO  THE  PEOPLE  IN 
GENERAL. 

A  religious  concern  for  our  friends  and  fellow-subjects  of 
every  denomination,  and  more  especially  for  those  of  all  ranks, 
who  in  the  present  commotions,  are  engaged  in  public  employ- 
ments and  stations,  induces  us  earnestly  to  beseech  every  in- 
dividual, in  the  most  solemn  manner,  to  consider  the  end  and 
tendency  of  the  measures  they  are  promoting;  and  on  the 
most  impartial  inquiry  into  the  state  of  their  minds,  carefully 
to  examine  whether  they  are  acting  in  the  fear  of  God,  and  in 
conformity  to  the  precepts  and  doctrine  of  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  whom  we  profess  to  believe  in,  and  that  by  him  alone 
we  expect  to  be  saved  from  our  sins. 

The  calamities  and  afflictions  which  now  surround  us  should, 
as  we  apprehend,  affect  every  mind  with  the  most  awful 


288  EXILES  FROM  PENNSYLVANIA. 

consideration  of  tiie  dispensations  of  Divine  Providence  to 
mankind  in  general  in  former  ages,  and  that  as  the  sins  and 
iniquities  of  the  people  subjected  them  to  grievous  sufferings, 
the  same  causes  still  produce  the  like  effects. 

The  inhabitants  of  these  provinces  were   long  signally 
favoured  with  peace  and  plenty.    Have  the  returns  of  true 
thankfulness  been  generally  manifest  1     Have  integrity  and 
godly  simplicity  been  maintained,  and  religiously  regarded  1 
Hath  a  religious  care  to  do  justly,  love  mercy,  and  walk 
humbly,  been  evident?    Hath  the  precept  of  Christ,  to  do  unto 
others  as  we  would  they  should  do  unto  us,  been  the  govern- 
ing rule  of  our  conduct  1    Hath  an  upright  impartial  desire  to 
prevent  the  slavery  and  oppression  of  our  fellow-men,  and  to 
restore  them  to  their  natural  rights,  to  true  Christian  liberty, 
been  cherished  and  encouraged  '!    Or  have  pride,  wantonness, 
luxury,  profaneness,  a  partial  spirit,  and  forgetfulnessof  the  good- 
ness and  mercies  of  God,  become  lamentably  prevalent?  Have 
we  not,  therefore,  abundant  occasion  to  break  off  from  our  sins 
by  righteousness,  and  our  iniquities  by  showing  mercy  to  the 
poor;  and  with  true  contrition  and  abasement  of  soul,  to  humble 
ourselves,  and  supplicate  the  almighty  Preserver  of  men,  to  show 
favour,  and  to  renew  unto  us  a  state  of  tranquillity  and  peace  1 
It  is  our  fervent  desire  that  this  may  soon  appear  to  be  the 
pious  resolution  of  the  people  in  general,  of  all  ranks  and  de- 
nominations; then  may  we  have  a  well-grounded  hope,  that 
wisdom  from  above,  which  is  pure,  peaceable,  and  full  of 
mercy  and  good  fruits,  will  preside  and  govern  in  the  delibera- 
tions of  those  who,  in  these  perilous  times,  undertake  the 
transaction  of  the  most  important  public  affairs;  and  that  by 
their  steady  care  and  endeavours,  constantly  to  act  under  the 
influences  of  this  wisdom,  those  of  inferior  stations  will  be  in- 
cited diligently  to  pursue  those  measures  which  make  for 
peace,  and  tend  to  the  reconciliation  of  contending  parties,  on 
principles  dictated  by  the  spirit  of  Christ,  who  "came  not  to 
destroy  men's  lives,  but  to  save  them."  (Luke  ix.  56.) 

We  are  so  fully  assured  that  these  principles  are  the  most 


APPENDIX. 


289 


certain  and  effectual  means  of  preventing  the  extreme  misery 
and  desolations  of  wars  and  bloodshed,  that  we  are  constrained 
to  entreat  all  who  profess  faith  in  Christ,  to  manifest  that  they 
really  believe  in  him  and  desire  to  obtain  the  blessings  he  pro- 
nounced to  the  makers  of  peace.  (Matt.  v.  9.) 

His  spirit  ever  leads  to  seek  for  and  improve  every  oppor- 
tunity of  promoting  peace  and  reconciliation,  and  constantly 
to  remember  that  as  we  really  confide  in  him,  he  can,  in  his 
own  time,  change  the  hearts  of  all  men  in  such  manner,  that 
the  way  to  obtain  it,  hath  been  often  opened  contrary  to  every 
human  prospect  or  expectation. 

May  we,  therefore,  heartily  and  sincerely  unite  in  supplica- 
tions to  the  Father  of  Mercies,  to  grant  the  plentiful  eflusions 
of  his  spirit  to  all,  and  in  an  especial  manner  to  those  in  superior 
stations,  that  they  may  with  sincerity,  guard  against  and  reject 
all  such  measures  and  councils,  as  may  increase  and  perpetuate 
the  discord,  animosities,  and  unhappy  contentions  which  now 
sorrowfully  abound. 

We  cannot  but  with  distressed  minds,  beseech  all  such  in  the 
most  solemn  and  awful  manner,  to  consider  that,  if  by  their 
acting  and  persisting  in  a  proud,  selfish  spirit,  and  not  regard- 
ing the  dictates  of  true  wisdom,  such  measures  are  pursued  as 
tend  to  the  shedding  of  innocent  blood ;  in  the  day  when  they 
and  all  men  shall  appear  at  the  judgment  seat  of  Christ,  to  re- 
ceive a  reward  according  to  their  works,  they  will  be  excluded 
from  his  favour,  and  their  portion  will  be  everlasting  misery. 
(See  Matt.  xxv.  41 ;  2  Cor.  v.  10.) 

The  peculiar  evidence  of  divine  regard  manifested  to  our 
ancestors,  in  the  founding  and  settlement  of  these  provinces, 
we  have  often  commemorated,  and  desire  ever  to  remember, 
with  true  thankfulness  and  reverent  admiration. 

When  we  consider — That  at  the  time  they  were  persecuted 
and  subjected  to  severe  sufferings,  as  a  people  unworthy  of  the 
benefits  of  civil  or  religious  liberty,  the  hearts  of  the  king  and 
rulers  under  whom  they  suffered,  were  inclined  to  grant  them 
these  fruitful  countries,  and  entrust  them  with  charters  of  very 

19 


290 


EXILES  FROM  PENNSYLVANIA. 


extensive  powers  and  privileges.  That  on  their  arrival  here, 
the  minds  of  the  natives  were  inclined  to  receive  them  with 
great  hospitality  and  friendship  ;  and  to  cede  to  them  the  most 
valuable  part  of  their  land  on  very  easy  terms.  That  while 
the  principles  of  justice  and  mercy  continued  to  preside,  they 
were  preserved  in  tranquillity  and  peace,  free  from  the  desolating 
calamities  of  war ;  and  their  endeavours  were  wonderfully 
blessed  and  prospered,  so  that  the  saying  of  the  wisest  of 
kings  was  signally  verified  to  them,  "  when  a  man's  ways 
please  the  Lord,  he  maketh  even  his  enemies  to  be  at  peace 
with  him."  (Pro.  xvi.  7.) 

The  benefits,  advantages  and  favour  we  have  experienced 
by  our  dependence  on,  and  connexion  with,  the  kings  and 
government,  under  which  we  have  enjoyed  this  happy  state, 
appear  to  demand  from  us  the  greatest  circumspection,  care, 
and  constant  endeavours,  to  guard  against  every  attempt  to 
alter  or  subvert  that  dependence  or  connexion. 

The  scenes  lately  presented  to  our  view,  and  the  prospect 
ibefore  us,  we  are  sensible  are  very  distressing  and  discouraging; 
and  though  we  lament  that  such  amicable  measures  as  have 
been  proposed,  both  here  and  in  England,  for  the  adjustment 
of  the  unhappy  contests  subsisting,  have  not  yet  been  effectual, 
nevertheless,  we  should  rejoice  to  observe  the  continuance  of 
mutual  peaceable  endeavours  for  effecting  a  reconciliation ; 
having  grounds  to  hope  that  the  divine  favour  and  blessing  will 
attend  them. 

"  It  hath  ever  been  our  judgment  and  principle,  since  we 
were  called  to  profess  the  light  of  Christ  Jesus,  manifested  in 
our  consciences  unto  this  day,  that  the  setting  up,  and  putting 
down  kings  and  government,  is  God's  peculiar  prerogative ; 
for  causes  best  known  to  himself;  and  that  it  is  not  our  business 
to  have  any  hand  or  contrivance  therein,  nor  to  be  busybodies 
above  our  station,  much  less  to  plot  and  contrive  the  ruin,  or 
overturn  of  any  of  them,  but  to  pray  for  the  king,  and  safety 
of  our  nation,  and  good  of  all  men ;  that  we  may  live  a  peace- 
able and  quiet  life,  in  all  godliness  and  honesty ;  under  the 


APPENDIX. 


291 


government  which  God  is  pleased  to  set  over  us." — Ancient 
Testimony,  1696,  in  Sewall's  History. 

May  we  therefore  firmly  unite  in  the  abhorrence  of  all  such 
writings,  and  measures,  as  evidence  a  desire  and  design  to 
break  off  the  happy  connexion  we  have  heretofore  enjoyed, 
with  the  kingdom  of  Great  Britain,  and  our  just  and  necessary 
subordination  to  the  king,  and  those  who  are  lawfully  placed  in 
authority  under  him  ;  that  thus  the  repeated  solemn  declara- 
tions, made  on  this  subject,  in  the  addresses  sent  to  the  king, 
on  behalf  of  the  people  of  America  in  general,  may  be  con- 
firmed, and  remain  to  be  our  firm  and  sincere  intentions  to 
observe  and  fulfil. 

Signed,  in  and  on  behalf  of  a  meeting  of  the  representatives 
of  our  religious  Society,  in  Pennsylvania  and  New 
Jersey;  held  at  Philadelphia,  the  20th  day  of  the  first 
month,  1776. 

John  Pemberton, 
Clerk. 

TO  OUR  FRIENDS  AND  BRETHREN  IN  RELIGIOUS  PROFESSION,  IN  THESE 
AND  THE  ADJACENT  PROVINCES. 

Dearly  beloved  friends  and  brethren. 

Our  minds  being  renewedly  impressed  with  a  fervent  religious 
concern  for  your  spiritual  welfare,  and  preservation  in  the  love 
and  fellowship  of  the  Gospel  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  the 
Prince  of  Peace,  by  the  constrainings  of  his  love,  we  are 
engaged  to  salute  you  in  this  time  of  deep  exercise,  affliction, 
and  difficulty ;  earnestly  desiring,  that  we  may  by  steady  cir- 
cumspection and  care,  in  every  part  of  our  conduct  and  con- 
versation, evidence,  that  under  the  close  trials,  which  are  and 
may  be  permitted  to  attend  us,  our  faith  and  reliance  is  fixed 
on  him  alone  for  protection  and  deliverance,  remembering  his 
gracious  promise  to  his  faithful  followers,  "  Lo,  I  am  with  you 
alway  even  unto  the  end  of  the  world."  (Matt,  xxviii.  20.) 

And  "  as  it  became  him  for  whom  are  all  things,  and  by 


292 


EXILES  FROM  PENNSYLVANIA. 


whom  are  all  things,  in  bringing  many  sons  unto  glory,  to 
make  the  captain  of  their  salvation  perfect  through  sufferings," 
(Heb.  ii.  10)  let  us  not  be  dismayed,  if  we  are  now  led  in 
the  same  path. 

As  we  keep  in  the  I>ord's  power  and  peaceable  truth,  which 
is  over  all,  and  therein  seek  the  good  of  all,  neither  outward 
sufferings,  persecutions,  nor  any  outward  thing  that  is  below, 
will  hinder  or  break  our  heavenly  fellowship  in  the  light  and 
spirit  of  Christ.  (G.  Fox's  Epistle,  1685.) 

Thus  we  may  with  Christian  fortitude  and  firmness  withstand 
and  refuse  to  submit  to  the  arbitrary  injunctions  and  ordinances 
of  men,  who  assume  to  themselves  the  power  of  compelling 
others,  either  in  person  or  by  other  assistance,  to  join  in  car- 
rying on  war,  and  in  prescribing  modes  of  determining  con- 
cerning our  religious  principles,  by  imposing  tests  not  war- 
ranted by  the  precepts  of  Christ,  or  the  laws  of  the  happy  con- 
stitution, under  which  we  and  others  long  enjoyed  tranquillity 
and  peace. 

We  therefore,  in  the  aboundings  of  that  love,  which  wisheth 
the  spiritual  and  temporal  prosperity  of  all  men,  exhort,  ad- 
monish and  caution,  all  who  make  religious  profession  with  us, 
and  especially  our  beloved  youth,  to  stand  fast  in  that  liberty, 
wherewith  through  the  manifold  sufferings  of  our  predecessors, 
we  have  been  favoured,  and  steadily  to  bear  our  testimony 
against  every  attempt  to  deprive  us  of  it. 

And,  dear  friends,  you  who  have  known  the  truth,  and  the 
powerful  operations  thereof  in  your  minds,  adhere  faithlully 
thereto,  and  by  your  good  examples  and  stability,  labour  to 
strengthen  the  weak,  confirm  the  wavering,  and  warn  and 
caution  the  unwary  against  being  beguiled  by  the  snares  of  the 
adversaries  of  truth  and  righteousness.  Let  not  the  fear  of 
suffering,  either  in  person  or  property,  prevail  on  any  to  join 
with  or  promote  any  work  or  preparation  for  war. 

Our  profession  and  principles  are  founded  on  that  spirit 
which  is  contrary  to,  and  will  in  time  put  an  end  to  all  wars, 
and  bring  in  everlasting  righteousness ;  and  by  our  constantly 


APPENDIX. 


293 


abiding  under  the  directinn  and  instruction  of  that  spirit,  we 
nnay  be  endued  wiih  that  "wisdom  froin  above,  which  is  first 
pure,  then  peaceable,  gentle  and  easy  to  be  entreated,  full  of 
mercy  and  good  fruits,  without  partiality,  and  without  hypo- 
crisy." (James  iii.  17.)  That  this  may  be  our  happy  experience 
is  our  fervent  desire  and  prayer. 

Signed,  in  and  on  behalf  of  the  meeting  for  sufferings  held  in 
Philadelphia,  for  Pennsylvania  and  New  Jersey,  the 
20tli  day  of  the  I2{h  month,  1776. 

John  Pemberton, 

Clerk. 

MINUTE  OF  THE  QUARTERLY  MEETING  HELD  IN  PHILADELPHIA,  8tH 

MONTH,  4th,  1777. 

The  account  from  the  several  meetings  in  Philadelphia  re- 
lating to  the  subject  of  sufferings  being  read,  their  care  and 
attention  to  the  direction  of  the  Yearly  Meeting  is  approved 
of,  and  their  further  attention  on  such  cases  as  may  arise  is 
desired ;  and  as  it  may  be  useful  for  these  now  brought  to  be 
communicated  to  the  Meeting  for  Sufferings  for  further  con- 
sideration, the  clerk,  is  directed  to  lay  them  before  that 
meeting. 

Copied  from  the  minutes  of  said  meeting. 

John  Pemberton, 

Clerk. 

AT  A  MONTHLY  MEETING  OF   PHILADELPHIA,  HELD   ON  THE  25tH  AND 

31st  days  7th  month,  and  1st  8th  month,  1777. 

"  A  committee  being  appointed,  agreeable  to  the  recom- 
mendation of  our  last  Yearly  Meeting,  to  advise  and  assist  any 
of  our  friends  who  have  been  brought  under  sufferings  on 
account  of  our  Christian  testimony,  and  to  preserve  a  record 
of  sufferings,  have  acquainted  this  meeting  in  writing,  that 
they  have  several  times  met  and  freely  conferred  on  the  sub- 


294  EXILES  FROM  PENNSYLVANIA. 

ject,  and  although  a  number  of  our  brethren  have  suffered  on 
various  occasions  under  the  prevailing  tumults  and  confusions 
which  have  attended,  yet  no  account  of  particular  cases  hath 
been  so  collected  as  to  enable  them  to  make  a  full  report  there- 
on ;  we  have  therefore  continued  the  same  committee,  and  de- 
sired their  further  attention  to  the  service,  that  the  intention  of 
the  Yearly  Meeting  may  be  fulfilled. 

AT  A  MONTHLY  MEETING  OF  FRIENDS  IN  PHILADELPHIA  FOR  THE 
SOUTHERN  DISTRICT,  HELD  THE  30tH  7tH  MONTH,  1777,  BY  AD- 
JOURNMENT. 

The  committee  appointed  by  this  meeting,  to  advise  and 
assist  such  of  our  members  who  might  be  subjected  to  suffer- 
ing for  the  testimony  of  truth,  and  to  keep  a  record  thereof, 
agreeably  to  the  direction  of  the  last  Yearly  Meeting,  brought 
in  a  report  in  writing,  a  copy  of  which  is  herewith  sent. 

"  TO  THE  MONTHLY  MEETING  OF  FRIENDS   IN   PHILADELPHIA   FOR  THE 
SOUTHERN  DISTRICT. 

"  We  the  committee  appointed  to  advise  and  assist  such  of 
our  members  who  might  be  subjected  to  suffering  for  the  tes- 
timony of  truth,  and  to  keep  a  record  thereof,  agreeably  to  the 
direction  of  last  Yearly  Meeting,  do  report.  That  we  have 
kept  this  matter  under  our  care,  in  order  that  we  might  give 
our  assistance  when  necessary.  And  although  there  were 
some  occurrences  previous  to  our  appointment,  wherein  some 
Avere  subjected  to  suffering,  no  cases  have  fallen  out  of  late 
which  required  our  particular  care.  Nevertheless  we  may 
observe  that  some  Friends  have  been  injured  in  their  property, 
by  having  had  blankets  taken  from  them  on  account  of  their 
non-compliance  with  a  requisition  that  was  made  for  a  number 
of  blankets,  for  the  purpose  of  equipping  soldiers  going  to  war. 
Some  also  who  followed  their  lawful  vocations  on  the  days 
appointed  by  those  in  authority,  to  be  observed  as  public  fasts, 


APPENDIX. 


295 


have  been  molested,  and  their  shops  violently  shut  by  the 
rabble. 

"  And  likevi'ise  on  the  evening  of  a  day  lately  appointed  by 
the  present  powers,  for  public  rejoicing,  divers  Friends  had 
their  windows  broke  by  a  licentious  mob,  because  they  could 
not  join  with  the  multitude  in  illuminating  their  windows.  But 
no  account  has  been  brought  in  by  any  Friend  of  the  loss  or 
damage  they  have  sustained. 

"  Signed,  at  the  request  and  on  behalf  of  the  committee,  by 

"  John  Reynell. 

"Philadelphia,  28th  7th  month,  1777." 

The  Monthly  Meeting  for  the  Northern  District  having  had 
a  committee  appointed  to  the  like  service,  produced  to  that 
meeting  the  following  report. 

"  Inasmuch  as  divers  of  our  members  have  been  subjected 
to  various  losses,  oppressions  and  impositions,  under  the  present 
commotions  and  tumults,  the  committee  appointed  in  the  12th 
month  last,  to  preserve  a  record  of  the  sufferings  of  our  brethren 
for  a  faithful  adherence  to  the  cause  and  testimony  of  truth, 
think  it  right  to  submit  to  the  consideration  of  the  Monthly 
Meeting,  a  general  view  of  the  several  matters  in  which  the 
committee  have  been  exercised,  to  encourage  and  promote 
faithfulness,  and  a  conduct  consistent  with  our  religious  pro- 
fession, as  also  by  a  brotherly  sympathy  and  labour,  to  endea- 
vour to  relieve,  assist  and  strengthen,  some  of  our  oppressed 
brethren. 

"  Many  of  our  houses  have  been  stripped  of  the  leaden 
weights  used  for  the  hanging  of  windows,  by  order  of  those 
who  have  in  these  tumultuous  times  assumed  the  rule.  In  like 
manner  have  a  considerable  number  of  blankets  been  forcibly 
taken  and  carried  away  from  many  Friends,  declared  to  be  for 
fitting  out  men  to  go  to  war.  The  being  compelled  into  a  con- 
tribution for  such  a  purpose  has  been  grievous  to  honest  minds. 
And  some  have  had  their  stock  of  this  necessary  article  so  re- 
duced, as  to  be  likely  to  want  the  needful  covering  in  a  cooler 


296 


EXILES  FROM  PENNSYLVANIA. 


season.  So  far  as  have  come  to  our  knowledge,  we  have 
reason  to  believe  Friends  have  mostly  suffered  in  this,  and  the 
first  instance,  with  a  good  degree  of  patience  and  meekness, 
and  have  generally  shown  a  disapprobation  of  such  exactions. 

"  The  houses  of  several  Friends  have  been  wantonly  abused, 
and  their  windows  broke  and  destroyed  by  a  rude  rabble,  for 
not  joining  with  the  present  rulers  in  their  pretended  acts  of 
devotion,  and  conforming  to  their  ordinances  in  making  a  show 
of  that  sort  in  shutting  up  our  houses  and  shops,  professedly  to 
observe  a  day  of  humiliation,  and  to  crave  a  blessing  on  their 
public  proceedings,  but  evidently  tending  to  spread  the  spirit  of 
strife  and  contention. 

"  The  like  abuses  and  wanton  destruction  of  our  property 
hath  lately  been  repeated,  because  Friends  could  not  illuminate 
their  houses,  and  conform  to  such  vain  practices,  and  outward 
marks  of  rejoicing,  to  commemorate  the  time  of  these  people's 
withdrawing  themselves  from  all  subjection  to  the  English 
government,  and  from  our  excellent  constitution,  under  which 
we  long  enjoyed  peace  and  prosperity. 

"  Some  of  our  members  have  also  had  soldiers  forced  into 
their  houses  and  kept  there  for  some  time,  by  which  families 
have  been  much  incommoded,  and  our  peaceable  testimony 
disregarded  by  the  authors  of  this  imposition. 

"Edward  Wells  was  seized  in  the  street  by  a  number  of 
armed  men,  and  for  refusing  to  bear  arms,  or  to  aid  and  assist 
in  warlike  services,  he  was  committed  to  the  New  Prison  in 
this  city,  and  there  confined  about  three  days,  by  order  of 
General  Putnam. 

"  And  for  the  like  refusal  Thomas  Masterman,  William 
Brown,  and  William  Wayne,  were  taken  from  their  dwellings 
by  an  armed  company  of  men,  and  with  drum  and  music 
paraded  through  the  streets  for  a  considerable  time  before  they 
were  permitted  to  return  to  their  habitations. 

"  Samuel  Shaw  having  been  appointed  under  the  present 
rulers  to  act  in  conjunction  with  their  magistrates  as  an 
overseer  of  the  poor,  after  a  deliberate  consideration  of  the 


APPENDIX. 


297 


matter,  concluded  to  decline  the  office,  believing  it  to  be  incon- 
sistent with  his  own  peace  of  mind,  and  the  solid  advice  of 
Friends  at  our  last  Yearly  Meeting.  lie  was  fined  for  refusing 
to  serve,  twenty  pounds,  and  had  his  goods  distrained  and 
taken  from  him  to  the  value  of  twenty-eight  pounds. 

"  William  Compton's  case  will  close  the  report  we  have  to 
make,  which  is  set  forth  in  the  two  following  minutes  of  our 
Monthly  Meeting,  except  that  of  his  having  been  kept  close 
prisoner  near  six  weeks,  debarred  from  the  conversation  and 
advice  of  his  friends,  and  thereby  prevented  from  manifesting 
innocence  of  the  charge  brought  against  him,  at  a  time  when 
he  was  threatened  with  very  severe  usage,  even  to  the  endan- 
gering of  his  life,  although  from  aught  that  has  appeared,  the 
authors  of  this  injurious  and  cruel  treatment  had  not  the  least 
grounds  therefor. 

"5th  month  27th,  1777. — The  committee  appointed  to  afford 
their  advice  and  assistance  to  such  of  our  brethren  as  might  be 
brought  under  suffering,  having  had  divers  meetings  with  the 
overseers  and  several  other  Friends,  and  taken  into  their  con- 
sideration the  situation  of  William  Compton,  one  of  our  mem- 
bers, who  was  committed  to  the  New  Prison  in  this  city  on  the 
18th  day  of  last  month,  by  a  written  order  signed  by  Philip 
Schuyler,  acting  in  the  character  of  a  general  and  commander 
of  the  military  forces  in  this  city;  and  though  repeated  applica- 
tions have  been  made  to  him,  and  his  promise  obtained,  that 
William  should  be  enlarged,  having  informed  Friends  that  so 
far  as  had  come  to  his  knowledge  nothing  criminal  in  the  view 
of  those  who  now  exercise  authority  in  this  place,  had  upon 
examination  been  found  against  him ;  yet  he  is  still  continued 
in  confinement,  and  there  appears  fresh  occasion  for  an  exercise 
of  brotherly  care  and  Christian  sympathy  in  his  case.  After  a 
solid  deliberation  thereon  in  this  meeting,  our  friends  John 
Hunt,  Charles  West,  John  Parrish,  Samuel  Smith,  William 
Cowper,  William  Fisher,  Joshua  Howell,  Isaac  Cathrall,  and 
Henry  Drinker,  were  appointed  to  take  the  same  under  their 
immediate  and  religious  care,  and  desired  to  afford  such  assist- 


298 


EXILES  FROM  PENNSYLVANIA. 


ance  and  help  therein  as  our  said  friend's  situation  may  appear 
to  require,  and  should  they  apprehend  it  necessary,  they  are  at 
liberty  to  lay  the  same  before  our  Meeting  for  Sufferings  for 
their  advice  in  this  matter,  in  which  our  Society  now  is,  and 
may  be  deeply  interested. 

"  5lh  month  25th,  1777. — The  committee  nominated  last 
month  having  several  times  met  together  with  some  of  our 
brethren  in  this  city,  on  the  day  of  their  appointment  and  the 
succeeding  day,  and  seriously  considered  the  alarming  stretch 
of  power  which  had  been,  and  the  severity  which  was  proposed 
to  be  exercised  in  the  case  of  William  Compton,  they  concluded 
it  right  to  remonstrate  against,  and  endeavour  to  prevent  some 
very  arbitrary  proceedings,  with  which  he  was  then  threatened, 
and  after  diligently  pursuing  the  matter,  and  personally  attend- 
ing an  examination  which  he  was  subjected  to,  a  discharge 
from  his  confinement  was  obtained,  with  a  certificate  that 
there  did  not  appear  the  least  grounds  for  the  charge  brought 
against  him. 

Samuel  Smith, 
William  Cowper, 
Charles  West, 
John  Parkish, 
Henry  Drinker. 

"  To  the  Monthly  Meeting  of  Friends  of  the  Northern  Dis- 
trict of  Philadelphia,  to  be  held  by  adjournment  this  day. 

"Philadelphia,  7th  month  29th,  1777." 

The  foregoing  report  was  read,  and  considered,  in  our  said 
meeting,  and  committed  to  the  care  of  the  representatives,  to 
be  laid  before  our  Quarterly  Meeting. 

Henry  Drinker, 
Clerk 

The  amount  of  Friends'  sufllerings  brought  up  from  our  seve- 
ral Monthly  Meetings,  chiefly  for  not  bearing  arms  and  paying 


APPENDIX. 


299 


taxes  for  supporting  a  war  against  the  government  this  year, 
is  four  hundred  and  sixteen  pounds  five  shillings,  Pennsylvania 
currency. 

Divers  Friends  were  imprisoned;  some  soon  discharged; 
three  continued  prisoners  upwards  of  three  months,  were  fined 
by  the  court  but  not  yet  levied,  and  their  persons  discharged 
from  imprisonment. 

Extract  from  the  minutes  of  our  Quarterly  Meeting,  held  in 
Rahway,  the  18th  of  8th  month,  1777. 

By  John  Shotwell, 

Clerk. 


Extract  of  a  letter  from  General  Sullivan  to  Congress,  dated  Hanover, 
August  25,  1777. 

"  Among  the  baggage  taken  on  Staten  Island,  the  22d  instant, 
I  find  a  number  of  important  papers.  A  copy  of  three  I  enclose 
for  the  perusal  of  Congress.  The  one  from  the  Yearly  Meeting 
at  Spanktown,  held  the  19th  instant,  I  think  worthy  the  atten- 
tion of  Congress. 

"  No.  1 .  Where  is  Washington  1  what  number  of  men  or  cannon  ? 

2.  Where  is  Sterling?  what  number  of  men  and  cannon  ? 

3.  Where  is  Sullivan  ?  &c. 

4.  Where  is  Dayton  and  Ogden  ?  what  number  ? 

5.  Whether  there  be  any  troops  passing  or  repassing  1 

6.  Intelligence  from  Albany. 

7.  Intelligence  from  Philadelphia. 

8.  Be  very  particular  about  time  and  place. 

"  Information  from  Jersey,  19  August,  1777. 

"  It  is  said  General  Howe  landed  near  the  head  of  Chesa- 
peake Bay,  but  cannot  learn  the  particular  spot,  nor  when. 

"  Washington  lays  in  Pennsylvania,  about  twelve  miles  from 
Coryell's  Ferry. 

"  Sullivan  lays  about  six  miles  northward  of  Morristown, 
with  about  two  thousand  men. 

"  Spanktown  Yearly  Meeting. 


300 


EXILES  FROM  PENNSYLVANIA. 


"  Intelligence  from  Jersey,  Sunday,  July  28,  1777. 

"  I  saw  on  their  full  march,  seven  miles  from  Morristown,  on 
the  road  to  Delaware,  General  Washington,  General  Muhlen- 
burg,  General  Weeden,  with  two  thousand  men,  and  General 
Knox  with  his  train  of  artillery,  consisting  of  fourteen  field 
pieces,  and  one  howitz,  seventy-nine  ammunition  wagons,  and 
one  hundred  and  thirty  baggage  wagons;  and  then  proceeding 
on  the  road  from  Hackettstown  to  Easton,  there  saw  on  their 
full  march  to  Delaware,  General  Stevens  and  General  Scott, 
with  four  thousand  men  and  light  field  pieces,  and  on  the  road 
met  twenty-nine  flat-bottomed  boats,  and  proceeded  down  to 
Quibbletown,  where  I  saw  General  Stirling  and  General  Con- 
way with  three  thousand  men  and  no  field  pieces.  I  am  in- 
formed that  General  Sullivan  has  crossed  the  North  River,  and 
is  bringing  up  the  rear.  As  to  the  truth  of  that,  1  hope  I  shall 
be  able  to  inform  you  in  two  or  three  days." 

Received,  August  31,  1777. 

Published  by  order  of  Congress. 

Charles  Thomson, 

Secretary. 


Manv  of  the  historical  writers  on  the  American  Revolution 
having  censured  the  Society  of  Friends  for  their  attachment  to 
the  Colonial  Government,  and  for  the  expressions  in  their 
epistles  to  their  members,  of  the  satisfaction  and  advantages 
they  had  enjoyed  under  it,  it  will  be  proper  to  show  that 
Congress,  even  at  a  subsequent  date,  made  use  of  stronger  ex- 
pressions in  their  public  addresses  to  the  Jang,  of  their  loyalty 
and  attachment ;  and  for  this  purpose  the  following  documents 
are  inserted  in  relative  position  to  each  other. 


APPENDIX. 


301 


Epistle  of  Friends,  \sl  month  24(A, 
1775. 

"  We  are  therefore  excited  by  a  sin- 
cere concern  for  the  peace  and  welfare 
of  our  country,  publicly  to  declare 
against  every  usurpation  of  power  in 
opposition  to  the  laws  and  government, 
and  against  all  combinations,  insurrec- 
tions, conspiracies,  and  illegal  assem- 
blies; and  as  we  are  restrained  from 
them  by  a  conscientious  discharge  of 
our  duties  to  Almighty  God.  by  whom 
'  kings  reign,  and  princes  decree  jus- 
tice,' we  hope  through  his  assistance 
and  favour  to  be  able  to  maintain  our 
testimony  against  any  requisitions  which 
may  be  made  of  us  inconsistent  with 
our  religious  principles,  and  the  fidelity 
we  owe  to  the  king  and  his  government 
as  by  law  established,  earnestly  desiring 
the  restoration  of  that  harmony  and  con- 
cord which  have  hitherto  united  the 
people  of  these  provinces,  and  been 
attended  by  the  divine  blessing  on  their 
labours.' ' 


Address  of  Congress  to  the  King,  July 
8th,  1775. 

"  Attached  as  we  are  to  your  majesty's 
person  and  government,  with  all  the  de- 
votion that  principle  and  affection  can 
inspire,  connected  with  Great  Britain 
by  the  strongest  ties  which  can  unite 
societies,  and  deploring  every  event  that 
tends  in  any  degree  to  weaken  them, 
we  solemnly  assure  your  majesty  that 
we  not  only  most  ardently  desire  that 
the  former  happiness  between  her  and 
these  Colonies  may  be  restored,  but 
that  a  concord  may  be  established  be- 
tween them  upon  so  firm  a  basis  as  to 
perpetuate  its  blessings,  uninterrupted 
l)y  any  future  dissensions,  to  succeeding 
generations  in  both  countries,  and  to 
transmit  your  majesty's  name  to  pos- 
terity, adorned  with  that  signal  and 
lasting  glory  that  hath  attended  the 
memory  of  those  illustrious  personages 
whose  virtues  and  abilities  have  extri- 
cated states  from  dangerous  convul- 
sions, and  by  securing  happiness  to 
others,  have  added  the  most  noble  and 
durable  monuments  to  their  own  fame." 


The  historian  Gibbon,  in  summing  up  the  character  of  the 
primitive  Christians,  gives  the  following  account  of  their  prin- 
ciples, which  is  in  remarkable  coincidence  with  the  tenets  of 
the  Society  of  Friends,  to  which  reference  is  made  in  the  In- 
troduction.* 

"  The  Christians  were  not  less  averse  to  the  business  than  to 
the  pleasures  of  the  world.  The  defence  of  our  persons  and 
property  they  knew  not  how  to  reconcile  with  the  patient  doc- 
trine which  enjoined  an  unlimited  forgiveness  of  past  injuries, 
and  commanded  them  to  invite  fresh  insults.    Their  simplicity 

*  Gibbon's  Decline  and  Fall,  cliap.  xv. 


302 


EXILES  FROM  PENNSYLVANIA. 


was  offended  by  the  use  of  oaths,  by  the  pomp  of  magistracy, 
and  by  the  active  contention  of  public  life ;  nor  could  their 
humane  ignorance  be  convinced  that  it  was  lawful  on  any  oc- 
casion to  shed  the  blood  of  our  fellow-creatures,  either  by  the 
sword  of  justice  or  by  that  of  war;  even  though  their  criminal 
or  hostile  attempts  should  threaten  the  peace  and  safety  of  the 
whole  community.  It  was  acknowledged  that  under  a  less 
perfect  law  the  powers  of  the  Jewish  constitution  had  been 
exercised,  with  the  approbation  of  Heaven,  by  inspired  prophets 
and  anointed  kings.  The  Christians  felt  and  confessed  that 
such  institutions  might  be  necessary  for  the  present  system  of 
the  world,  and  they  cheerfully  submitted  to  the  authority  of 
their  Pagan  governors.  But  while  they  inculcated  the  maxims 
of  passive  obedience,  they  refused  to  take  any  active  part  in 
the  civil  administration  or  the  military  defence  of  the  empire." 


THE  END. 


DATE  DUE 

OATLORO 

rNIHTCDlHW.S.A, 

